Journal Article

FZJ-2025-03170

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Effects of taurine, brimonidine and betaxolol on oscillation modulation and stimulation efficiency in degenerated rd10 mouse retinas

Schaffrath, K. (Corresponding author) ; Ingensiep, C. ; Müller, F.FZJ* ; Walter, P.FZJ* ; Johnen, S.

2025
Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41598-025-06440-9  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2025-03170

Abstract: The rd10 mouse is a widely used model for degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa(RP). Its retina shows rhythmic spontaneous activity at a frequency of three to seven Hz, andthe retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are less electrically excitable. We hypothesize that the electricalexcitability can be improved by suppressing the oscillations using the neuroprotective drugs2-aminoethanesulphonic acid (taurine), brimonidine and betaxolol. These are involved in calciumhomeostasis and may play a crucial role in neuroprotection and excitotoxicity by preventing Ca2+overload. Spontaneous activity and responses to electrical stimulation of isolated retinas from3- to 4-month-old rd10 mice were recorded using multielectrode arrays. At defined times, theneuroprotectants were repeatedly added to the medium according to a standardized protocol toanalyze the reproducibility and reversibility of their effects. Taurine and betaxolol significantly reducedoscillations and bursting behavior and ameliorated electrical efficiency. Brimonidine only reduced thefrequency of oscillations. The effects on oscillation, spontaneous firing frequency, bursting behaviorand stimulation efficiency were reproducible and reversible. The drugs tested appear to be promisingtherapeutic candidates for improving the residual function of RGCs. They will be further investigatedand combined with other RP treatments, such as retinal prostheses, in the future.

Note: The authors thank the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science (Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University) for support, Anne Rohn (Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen) for excellent technical assistance, and Sabine Diarra for her efforts to prepare the grant application for the Pro Retina Foundation.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Molekular- und Zellphysiologie (IBI-1)
2. Katalytische Grenzflächen (INW-1)

Research Program(s):

1. 5244 - Information Processing in Neuronal Networks (POF4-524) (POF4-524)
2. GRK 2610 - GRK 2610: Innovative Schnittstellen zur Retina für optimiertes künstliches Sehen - InnoRetVision (424556709) (424556709)

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