Role and mechanism of Müller cells in retinal injury

In mammalian retina, Muller cells are dominating macroglial cells and span the entire retina.These cells perform a variety of physiological roles to maitain the normal function of retina.However, Muller cells become'reactivity’in response to every pathological changes in the retina.Reactive Muller cells play an important role in retinal damage and repair.Reactive gliosis is a complex process that is considered to represent a cellular response to protect the retina from further damage and to promote its repair following pathological insult in the early stage of retina injury.Reactive Muller cells protect the tissue and preserve tissue function by releasing neurotrophic factors, and may contribute to retinal regeneration by generating neural progenitor.However, continued proliferation of Muller cells can also lead to cell dysfunction and damage of photoreceptors and neurons.What's more, Muller cell gliosis may result in the formation of glial scars, which can inhibit retinal remodeling and reprograming of the injured retina.A better understanding of the role and mechanism of Muller cells in retinopathy is essential for the efficient therapeutic strategies of retina diseases. Key words: Muller cell; Retinal diseases; Gliosis; Glial scars