Response of Müller cells following experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy

We used morphological, biochemical and immunohistochemical methods to assess the response of Muller cells after experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy in rabbits. We observed widened intercellular spaces between the Muller cells and nerve fibers of ganglion cells, and increased electron opacity in the Muller cells of eyes injected with silicone oil. No apparent morphological changes were detected in the Muller cells of air-injected eyes. The specific and total activities of Muller cell-marker enzymes (glucose 6-phosphatase and glutamine synthetase) showed an initial increase, followed by a decrease. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was not found in the Muller cells of the normal rabbit retina but was exhibited after surgery. Our results showed that markers of Muller cells associated with glycogenolysis and/or gluconeogenesis, glutamate-glutamine cycle and cytoskeletal protein metabolism were affected by the experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy.