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. 2021 Mar 16;12:624983. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.624983

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Cellular architecture of mammalian retina. Retina consists of 10 layers. Starting with layer furthest away from vitreous humor (VH), layers of retina are retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptor layer (PhL), outer limiting membrane (OLM), outer nuclear layer (ONL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal ganglion cell layer (RGC), retinal nerve fiber layer (RGC axons) (NFL), and inner limiting membrane (ILM). Main types of glial cells found in mammalian retina are macroglia [Müller glia (MG) and astrocytes (As), and microglia (Mi)]. Glial cells serve to maintain retinal homeostasis. As illustrated, Müller glia traverses retina, providing structural support to neurons, mediating transport of molecules between retinal vessels and RGCs, and secreting neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, NT3, and NGF. Furthermore, processes of Müller glia comprise outer and inner limiting membranes of retina. Müller glia, end-feet of astrocytes and vascular endothelial cells, and basal membrane constitute blood–retinal barrier. BM. basal membrane; Ch, choriocapilaris.