查看文章

The bio-active peptide, angiotensin II (Ang II), has been suggested to exert a neuromodulatory effect on inner retinal neurons. In this study, we examined the distribution of angiotensin receptors (ATRs) in the developing and mature rat retina and optic nerve using immunofluorescence immunocytochemistry. Double-labeling experiments were performed with established markers to identify different retinal cell populations. In adult retinae, ATRs were observed on neurons involved in “ON” pathways of neurotransmission. Angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT₁Rs) were expressed by a sub-population of “ON” cone bipolar cells that also labeled for Gα₀ and islet-1. Extra-neuronal expression of AT₁Rs was evident on retinal astrocytes, Müller cells and blood vessels. Immunoreactivity for the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT₂R) was observed on conventional and displaced GABAergic amacrine cells. Co-localization studies …