Unit on Neuronal-Glial Interactions in Retinal Disease

Wai Wong, M.D.
(301) 496-7566
wongw@mail.nih.gov

• Research Interests
• Selected Publications

Research Interests

The research focus of the unit investigates how interactions between retinal neurons and retinal glial elements underlie normal retina function and go awry in retinal disease. In particular, we are interested in the role of retinal microglia in the context of normal retinal function, and how they may contribute to pathological processes of retinal degeneration and neovascularization. We will employ a combination of in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models to address the questions of how retinal microglia function under normal and pathological conditions, and how they may influence other retinal cell types, and be influenced by various signals used in the retina. We are especially interested in using new imaging technologies to visualize retinal microglia morphology, migration, and behavior as an approach to understanding their function and physiology. Our long term goal is to understand the involvement of retinal microglia in mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, and translate this understanding to microglia-based therapies for retinal disease.

Selected Publications

• Lee, J.E., Liang K.J., Fariss, R.N., Wong, W.T.* Ex vivo Dynamic Imaging of Retinal Microglia using Time-lapse Confocal Microscopy. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, in press, 2008.
• Wong, W.T., Rex, T.S., Aurichio, A., Maguire, A.M., Chung, D.,Tang, W-X., Bennett, J. "Effect of Over expression of Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor (PEDF) on Developing Retinal Vasculature in the Mouse." Molecular Vision, 2004;10:837-844.
• Wong, W.T. and Wong, R.O.L. "Changing Specificity of Neurotransmitter Regulation of Rapid Dendritic Remodeling during Synaptogenesis". Nature Neuroscience, 2001;4:351-352.
• Wong, W.T., Faulkner-Jones, B.E., Sanes, J.R., and Wong, R.O.L. "Rapid Dendritic Remodeling in the Developing Retina: Dependence on Neurotransmission and Reciprocal Regulation by Rac and Rho". Journal of Neuroscience, 2000; 20:5024-5036.
• Gan, W-B., Grutzendler, J., Wong, W.T., Wong, R.O.L., Lichtman, J.W. "Multicolor "Diolistic" Labeling of Neuronal Circuits using Lipophilic Dye Combinations". Neuron, 2000; 27:219-225.