Activated Müller Cells Involved in ATP-Induced Upregulation of P2X₇ Receptor Expression and Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Figure 4

ATP/P2X₇R-mediated changes in the number of RGCs in DHPG-injected retinas. (a) Confocal laser microphotographs showing the changes in the number of fluorogold (FG) retrogradely labeled RGCs in NS-injected retina (Control, Ctr) (a1), and DHPG-injected retinas at 2 weeks (a2) and 6 weeks (a3) after the DHPG injection, respectively. (b) Confocal laser microphotographs showing the changes in the number of FG-labeled RGCs in Ctr (b1) and ATP-injected retinas at 2 weeks (b2) and 6 weeks (b3) after the ATP injection, respectively. (c) Confocal laser microphotographs showing the changes in the number of FG-labeled RGCs in Ctr (c1), and DHPG + BBG-injected retinas at 2 weeks (b2) and 6 weeks (b3) after the injection, respectively. Scale bar: 100 μm for all images. (d) Bar chart showing the average cell density (cells/mm²) under different conditions as shown in ((a)–(c)). for each group. versus Ctr. versus DHPG-treated group at 2 w. versus DHPG-treated group at 6 w.

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