Extreme Diversity among Amacrine Cells: Implications for Function Margaret A MacNeil, Richard H Masland  Neuron  Volume 20, Issue 5, Pages 971-982 (May 1998) DOI: 10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X

Figure 1 Random Sampling Method for Targeting Amacrine Cells (A) The nuclei of the DAPI-stained amacrine cells were placed in focus. (B) A grid crossing in one eyepiece was chosen using a table of randomly generated numbers, and the cell located directly beneath the designated crossing was irradiated. In this experiment, the cell at position E6 was targeted. (C) The cell's nucleus was selectively irradiated by a spot 3 μm in diameter. (The blue glow surrounding the nucleus is due to scattered light.) (D) Following 10 min of irradiation, the dendrites of cell E6 are filled. This cell has the morphological characteristic of a flag cell and is also shown in Figure 4. Scale bar, 50 μm for all images. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)

Figure 2 Determining the Level of Dendritic Stratification of Filled Amacrine Cells Matched DAPI (left) and rhodamine 123 (right) image series were compared. For this broad diffuse amacrine cell, dendrites exit from the soma and branch continuously through 60% of the inner plexiform layer. At 80% depth, dendrites are no longer visible. Scale bar, 50 μm. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)

Figure 4 Whole-Mount Views of Nine Narrow-Field Amacrine Cells Long dendrites of the narrowly stratifying cells (e.g., flat bistratified) appear in focus within a single plane, whereas for diffuse cells the dendrites appear as discontinuous fragments (e.g., AB diffuse-1). When the dendrites are cut in cross section, they appear as bright dots (spider cell, lower image). Schematic line drawings illustrate the vertical appearance and stratification of each cell type within the inner plexiform layer. One narrow-field cell, termed “A2-like,” is not shown here. Its morphology resembles that of A2, but both the outer and inner arbor were broader than A2, and the inner arbor branched more sclerally (see Table 1). Arrows indicate the levels of the images. Scale bar, 50 μm. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)

Figure 3 Four Well-Studied Amacrine Cell Types As Seen After Photofilling Images at two different depths show the separate inner and outer arbors of the (bistratified) A2 and DAPI-3 cells. The line drawings schematically represent the vertical appearance of each cell type. Arrows indicate the position of the image planes within the inner plexiform layer. Scale bars, 50 μm. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)

Figure 5 Whole-Mount Views of Six Types of Medium-Field Amacrine Cell The six upper panels illustrate cells with bistratified dendrites (asymmetric bistratified, wavy bistratified) or dendrites in the outer portion of the retina which arise from an inner arbor (fountain cell). The bottom images illustrate three diffusely stratified cells. Line drawings represent the cells' vertical appearance and stratification within the inner plexiform layer. Arrows indicate the levels of the images. Scale bar, 50 μm. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)

Figure 6 Wide-Field Cells with Dendrites in Stratum 3 of the Inner Plexiform Layer WF3–1 cells have straight, minimally branched dendrites extending for long distances in a single plane. Dendrites of WF3–2 cells were greater in number and occupied a larger fraction of stratum 3 (note that dendrites can be seen crossing each other). In addition, they had numerous spines and varicosities. Scale bars, 50 μm. Neuron 1998 20, 971-982DOI: (10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80478-X)