Muller Glia in Retinal Development: From Specification to Circuit Integration

Muller glia of the retina share many features with astroglia located throughout the brain including maintenance of homeostasis, modulation of neurotransmitter spillover, and robust response to injury. Here we present the molecular factors and signaling events that govern Muller glial specification, patterning, and differentiation. Next, we discuss the various roles of Muller glia in retinal development, which include maintaining retinal organization and integrity as well as promoting neuronal survival, synaptogenesis, and phagocytosis of debris. Finally, we review the mechanisms by which Muller glia integrate into retinal circuits and actively participate in neuronal signaling during development.

Automated summary

This article presents the molecular factors and signaling events that govern the specification, patterning, and differentiation of Muller glia, as well as their various roles in retinal development and integration into retinal circuits during neuronal signaling.