Figure 4.

Anatomical rescue of photoreceptors after transplantation of h1RPE7 in RCS rats. Semithin sections of retinae taken from animals used in the electrophysiological studies are shown. (A) A 6-month-old nondystrophic RCS rat showing full ONL thickness. (B) h1RPE7-transplanted RCS rat 5 months postgraft demonstrating significant preservation of the ONL; this level of rescue corresponds to a threshold sensitivity 2 log units above background. Area shown was 1,400 μm from injection site. (C) Sham-operated RCS rat 5 months postoperative showing complete loss of the ONL; there is also marked disruption of the INL. All sections were stained with toluidine blue. GC, ganglion cell layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; IS, inner segments; OS, outer segments. [Bar = 20 μm.]