PubMed ID: 17069833
Author(s): Zeiss CJ, Dubielzig RR. Lentoid bodies in the avian retina. J Comp Pathol. 2006 Nov;135(4):243-8. Epub 2006 Oct 27. PMID 17069833
Journal: Journal Of Comparative Pathology, Volume 135, Issue 4, Nov 2006
In-vitro studies suggest that, in avian retina, lentoid bodies arise from Müller cells or developing neuroretina. This report describes lentoid bodies in adult avian retinas in association with retinal trauma or degeneration. Retinal lentoids were identified in four birds (three owls and one parrot) in the course of routine diagnostic histopathology. Sections were stained with periodic acid-Schiff for the purposes of descriptive histology, and immunolabelled for a Müller cell marker (glial fibrillary acidic protein; GFAP) and a lens-specific marker (crystallin alpha-A). Intraretinal lentoids of varying size were identified, the constituent cells resembling bladder cells similar to those seen in cataracts. The process of lentoid formation followed a consistent pattern, characterized by progressive Müller cell hypertrophy in damaged areas, culminating in lentoid formation. GFAP immunoreactivity was strongest in Müller cells in the early stages of hypertrophy and receded as Müller cell hypertrophy advanced and lentoids developed. In contrast to GFAP immunoreactivity, crystalline alpha-A labelling increased in distribution and intensity as Müller hypertrophy became more prominent and lentoids were formed. This represents the first report of intraretinal lentoids in birds in vivo. The immunohistochemical data suggest that they arise from Müller cells. Association of lentoids with retinal damage supports the assertion that they arise following disruption of normal cell-cell communication.