The Vertebrate Retina
摘要
The retina is an outpost of the central nervous system (CNS) with neuronal structures and proteins specialized for converting light into a neural code that the brain can interpret. Mutations of proteins involved in phototransduction, ion channels, and synaptic transmission in the retina lead to visual deficits ranging from subtle color vision defects to complete blindness. Although normally isolated from blood-mediated immune responses by the blood-retinal barrier, inflammatory responses, including gliosis and those mediated by the complement system, are important contributors to retinal degeneration, particularly age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Studying immune responses in the retina and their pharmacological manipulation presents a promising avenue for treating and preventing retinal degeneration.