Gaseous transmitters in human retinogenesis

Acta Histochem. 2019 Jul;121(5):604-610. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2019.05.003. Epub 2019 May 18.

Abstract

Endogenous gaseous transmitters (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulphide) form a special neuromodulation system mediating the development and modification of nerve centers. Here, we examined the localization of key gaseous transmitter enzymes: cystathionine β-synthetase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2), and constitutive NO synthase (nNOS) in the fetal human retina at different stages of development. The number of CBS- and CSE-positive photoreceptors and intermediate retinal neurons was high in trimester I and gradually decreased to the end of trimester III. The number of HO-2-positive cells followed the same trend. The number of nNOS-positive intermediate retinal neurons and neurons within the ganglion cell layer showed the opposite dynamics with the peak in trimester III. The results are interpreted in terms of the role of gaseous transmitters in retinogenesis and cytoprotection.

Keywords: Constitutive NO synthase; Cystathionine β-synthetase; Cystathionine γ-lyase; Gaseous transmitters; Heme oxygenase 2; Neurogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Monoxide / metabolism*
  • Cystathionine beta-Synthase / metabolism
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / metabolism
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Gasotransmitters / metabolism*
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Retina / embryology*
  • Retina / enzymology*

Substances

  • Gasotransmitters
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
  • heme oxygenase-2
  • Cystathionine beta-Synthase
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
  • Hydrogen Sulfide