Table1. Laminin chain distribution during retinal development.
| Laminin chain | Retinal expression | Ages detected | Biological function | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| α1 |
ILM |
9 WG-adult (Hn), |
Binds ILM to receptors on Müller cells. Defects disrupt retinal vascular development |
18 and 20 |
| BrM |
9 WG-adult, decreases with age in fetal ages |
|||
| |
|
(Hn) |
|
|
| α2 |
BMs surrounding ON, retina and OC |
E13.5 (Ms) |
Provides guidance for developing ganglion cells. |
19 |
| ON, OC, GC, NFL, BV |
Birth- adulthood |
|||
| α3 |
BrM |
9–20 WG (Hn) |
Retinal synapse formation. |
18 and 20 |
| IPM and OPL |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
|||
| α4 |
ILM, BrM |
9–20 WG, increases with age (Hn) |
Formation of BrM |
20 |
| IPM, OPL, Müller cells |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
Retinal synapse formation |
18 |
|
| BV (tip cells) |
Adult (Hn, rat), birth-P5 (Ms) |
Regulates vascular branching by activating Delta-like4/Notch1 pathway |
22 |
|
| α5 |
ILM, BrM |
9 WG-adult (Hn) Adult (rat) |
Formation of ILM and BrM |
18 and 20 |
| BV (endothelial cells), astrocytes |
birth-P5 (Ms) |
|
22 |
|
| β1 |
ILM, BrM |
9 WG-adult (Hn) |
Formation of ILM and BrM |
18 and 20 |
| β2 |
ILM, BrM |
9 WG-adult (Hn) |
Formation of ILM and BrM |
18 and 20 |
| IPM and OPL |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
Retinal synapse formation |
18 |
|
| β3 |
IPM and OPL |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
Retinal synapse formation |
18 |
| γ1 |
ILM, BrM |
9 WG-adult (Hn) |
Formation of ILM and BrM, BV wall |
18 and 20 |
| γ2 |
IPM and OPL |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
Retinal synapse formation |
18 |
| γ3 | IPM and OPL |
Adult (Hn, rat) |
Retinal synapse formation |
18 |
| BV, BrM, ILM, amacrine cells | Birth-adult (Ms) | Development of microvasculature | 21 |
Shown is a summary of the laminin chains found in the retina as has been reported in the mouse, rat and human. Abbreviations used: BM, basement membrane; BrM, Bruch’s membrane; BV, blood vessels; E, embryonic day; GC, ganglion cells; Hn, Human; ILM, inner limiting membrane; IPM, interphotoreceptor matrix; Ms, Mouse; NFL, nerve fiber layer; ON, optic nerve; OC, optic chiasm; OPL, outer plexiform layer; WG, weeks gestation.