Modeling Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration in Zebrafish Using a Focal Laser Injury

Begin with an anesthetized adult zebrafish.

Transfer the fish to a silicone pin holder and apply a layer of synthetic polymer to lubricate the eye.

Next, position a laser lens in front of the eye to focus a laser-aiming beam on the retina.

Direct the laser onto the eye of the zebrafish, inducing injury to the retina.

The laser induces thermal damage and the death of retinal photoreceptor cells, initiating a degenerative process that progresses over days and extends from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the outer plexiform layer.

In response, Muller glia (MG) cells undergo reactive gliosis, becoming hypertrophic and proliferative.

These cells then de-differentiate into stem cell progenitors.

The progenitor cells gradually migrate to the injury site and, guided by spatial and temporal cues from the microenvironment, differentiate into mature retinal cell types over several days, thereby facilitating the regeneration of the retinal structure.