A patch-clamp investigation of membrane currents in a novel mammalian retinal ganglion cell line

We characterised membrane currents in undifferentiated RGC-5 cells, a cell line used in in vitro models of apoptosis and glaucoma. The cells were inexcitable, with no voltage-dependent Na+ currents or action potentials. Some novel currents were observed including basal Cl- currents, inwardly rectifiying K+ currents and Gd3+ insensitive stretch-activated currents. Our results highlight the differences between the electrophysiological properties of undifferentiated RGC-5 cells and retinal ganglion cells. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.