Figure 2.

Schematic representation of RGC differentiation. Neuronal differentiation in the retina proceeds in central-to-peripheral waves (white-dotted arrows in retina schematic). The sequence of RGC differentiation is shown in the lower panel. Retinal progenitor cells undergo interkinetic nuclear migration during the cell cycle (left hand side of lower panel) and divide adjacent to the RPE. Following cell division, the daughter cells can either reenter the cell cycle (black-dotted arrow) or exit the cell cycle and form a differentiated neuron (right hand side of lower panel). Nascent RGCs retract their apical process and translocate their nucleus into the RGC layer at the inner (vitreal) surface of the retina. As the nucleus translocates, an axon emerges that extends into the optic fiber layer (OFL) where it grows toward the optic disk. Neuronal polarity is regulated by extracellular matrix molecules of the inner limiting membrane and Bruch’s membrane.