Microglial dynamics after axotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell death

Table 1 Intact, tracing control, and contralateral to the injury retinas

Mean number ± standard deviation of Brn3a⁺RGCs, FG⁺RGCs, surveying microglial cells (SMCs), and phagocytic microglial cells (PMCs) counted in the same retinas within each group. PMCs were quantified in the retinas that had been traced with fluorogold 7 days or 2 months before sacrifice to match the tracing standard (7 days) and the longer tracing times used in the injured retinas (see Table 2)
FG fluorogold, RGCs retinal ganglion cells, RNFL/GCL retinal nerve fiber layer/ganglion cell layer, IPL/INL inner plexiform layer + inner limit inner nuclear layer, GCC ganglion cell complex (RFNL/GCL + IPL/INL)
^§The number of FG⁺RGCs 2 months after tracing is significantly smaller than at 7 days because FG is not a permanent dye [39, 41, 42], while the number of Brn3a⁺RGCs remains unaltered. In 2-month traced retinas, there are some PMCs, although this is not significant compared to 7 days of tracing or intact retinas (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, p > 0.05)
*The number of contralateral retinas amounts to 80 for Brn3a⁺RGCs and PMCs (see Table 2) and to 72 for FG⁺RGCs (2-month time point excluded). No significant differences were observed between contralateral and control or intact retinas (one-way ANOVA test, Tukey’s post hoc test, p > 0.05)

ISSN: 1742-2094