Role of the Immune Modulator Programmed Cell Death-1 During Development and Apoptosis of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is a critical step in the development of the mature retina and formation of effective neuronal networks. Novel neuronal expression of certain canonical molecules of the immune system is directly linked to neural functions. Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is an important receptor molecule regulating cell-cell signaling and clonal fate in the immune system. Our previous data showed constitutive expression of PD-1 in the retina. We hypothesize that active negative selection of neurons through PD-1 pathway may be required in RGC culling.