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Purpose: The genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3 was a developed as a tool for monitoring intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+] i) dynamics. The Thy1-GCaMP3 transgenic mouse has been used extensively in central and peripheral nervous system research, but very little in the retina. We therefore wanted to assess the properties of GCaMP3 in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and, in particular, to determine if GCaMP3 expression and response to elevated [Ca 2+] i, are maintained in a model of RGC damage, optic nerve transection (ONT).

Methods: Retinas from Thy1-GCaMP3 (B6; CBA-Tg (Thy1-GCaMP3) 6Gfng/J; Jackson Laboratories) mice were examined with conventional calcium imaging. In a subset of animals, ONT was performed on the left eye 5, 6 or 7 days prior to sacrifice and calcium imaging. Retinas were flat mounted and transient increases of [Ca 2+] i evoked by superfusion with kainic …