Reduced mTORC1‐signaling in retinal ganglion cells leads to vascular retinopathy.

Autor: Jones, Iwan, Hägglund, Anna‐Carin, Carlsson, Leif
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Zdroj: Developmental Dynamics; Feb2022, Vol. 251 Issue 2, p321-335, 15p
Abstrakt: Background: The coordinated wiring of neurons, glia and endothelial cells into neurovascular units is critical for central nervous system development. This is best exemplified in the mammalian retina where interneurons, astrocytes and retinal ganglion cells sculpt their vascular environment to meet the metabolic demands of visual function. Identifying the molecular networks that underlie neurovascular unit formation is an important step towards a deeper understanding of nervous system development and function. Results: Here, we report that cell‐to‐cell mTORC1‐signaling is essential for neurovascular unit formation during mouse retinal development. Using a conditional knockout approach we demonstrate that reduced mTORC1 activity in asymmetrically positioned retinal ganglion cells induces a delay in postnatal vascular network formation in addition to the production of rudimentary and tortuous vessel networks in adult animals. The severity of this vascular phenotype is directly correlated to the degree of mTORC1 down regulation within the neighboring retinal ganglion cell population. Conclusions: This study establishes a cell nonautonomous role for mTORC1‐signaling during retinal development. These findings contribute to our current understanding of neurovascular unit formation and demonstrate how ganglion cells actively sculpt their local environment to ensure that the retina is perfused with an appropriate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Key Findings: Reduced mTORC1‐signaling in RPCs leads to asymmetric retinal ganglion cell mosaics.Asymmetric retinal ganglion cell mosaics induce delayed vascular network formation.Delayed vascular network formation leads to tortuous vessels with reduced complexity.Vascular phenotype severity is correlated with the degree of reduced mTORC1 activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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