Retinal glial cells

Abstract

SummaryThe retina is populated by, in addition to neurons, three types of glial cell: Müller cells, astrocytes, and microglia. All cell‐types within the retina communicate with each other as well as being closely associated with the retinal vasculature. Müller cells are uniquely present in vertebrate retinas principally supporting neuronal functions (by increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio of information processing) and survival (by maintaining a metabolic ‘symbiosis’ with the neurons) in different ways. They also have the ability to uniquely guide light towards the photoreceptors and are capable of ‘sensing’ neuronal activity as well as responding to physiological light stimulation by adjacent photoreceptors with two distinct types of intracellular calcium rises. It is now clear that retinal glia contribute significantly to the structural and functional integrity of the retina but also play important roles in various retinopathies that include age‐related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It is anticipated that as we gather an even deeper understanding of retinal glia function and dysfunction unique therapies will evolve to treat specific retinal pathologies.