Fluorescent Retinal Cells (IMAGE)
Caption
Girls with a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the Nf1 gene are much more likely to lose their vision than boys with mutations in the same gene. Neurons in the retina of the eye, illuminated by fluorescent markers in this image, are more likely to be damaged in female than male mice with Nf1 mutations. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis believe female sex hormones activate immune cells that damage the nerves necessary for vision.
Credit
Joseph A. Toonen
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