Early life stress induces retinal alterations and visual function impairment in adult mice

CALANNI, JUAN S; DIEGUEZ, HERNÁN H; DORFMAN, DAMIÁN; ROSENSTEIN, RUTH E.

Belem

Congreso; 3rd FALAN Congress; 2022

FALAN

Página 45Early life stress induces retinal alterations and visual function impairment in adult miceIntroduction: Early life stress (ELS) isdefined as a period of severe and/or chronic trauma, as well as environmental/socialdeprivation or neglect in pre/postnatal stage. Presently, the impact of ELS onthe visual system in the adult stage is unknown. Objectives:To analyze the long-termconsequences of ELS in visual function in an animal model of maternalseparation with early weaning (MSEW), which mimics early life neglect.Methods: Mice were separated from the dams for2 h at postnatal days (PNDs) 2-5, for 3 h at PNDs 7-9, for 4 h at PNDs 10-13,for 6 h at PNDs 14-16, and weaned at PND17. At the end of each separationperiod, mothers were subjected to movement restriction for 10 minutes. Controlpups were left undisturbed from PND0, and weaned at PND21. Electroretinograms,visual evoked potentials, vision-guided behavioral tests, retinal anterogradetransport, and retinal histopathology were examined in adult mice.Results:MSEW induced long-lasting functionaland histological effects at retinal level, including decreased synaptophysincontent, microgliosis, retinal ganglion cell loss, and retina-superior colliculuscommunication deficit, likely dependent on corticoids, which translated into alterationsin vision-guided behaviors. A treatment with mifepristone, injected every 3days between PNDs 4-16, prevented functional and structural alterations inducedby MSEW. Conclusions:These results suggest that retinalalterations might be included among the childhood adversity-induced threats tolife quality, and that an early pharmacological intervention with mifepristoneavoided ELS-induced retinal disturbances.