Volume Regulation of Müller Cells in the Postnatal and Pathologically Altered Retina
Based upon 5 peer reviewed publications, this cumulative
dissertation provides insights into mechanisms of the volume
regulation of Müller cells and the importance thereof for the
integrity of the retinal tissue. To this end, Müller cells of the
postnatal retina of the rat and Müller cells of pathologically
altered retinae were tested for their ability to counteract
cellular swelling under hypoosmotic stress. These studies
demonstrate that the high membrane conductance for potassium is a
prerequisite for an efficient volume regulation of differentiated
Müller cells. Moreover, these studies show that Müller cells (which
function as the water and potassium 'pumps' of the retina)
might be involved in the pathomechanisms resulting in the formation
of retinal edema.
