Effects of heavy ionizing radiation on development and degeneration of Vertebrate photoreceptors and their protection by cytokines, as analysed in 3-dimensional cell culture models

Introduction A major problem for the planning of long-term space flights are deleterious effects of heavy ion radiation (HIR) on the eye sight of astronauts (light flashes), eventually leading to loss of their photoreceptor cells [1]. Until now, the influence of ionizing radiation (IR) on the development and the survival of photoreceptors and other retinal cell types is only poorly understood. Therefore, mimicking formation of a 3D-retinal tissue, histotypic reaggregates (retinal spheroids) were used as an in vitro model for the investigation of retinal development after IR. In this ongoing work we intend to investigate the responsiveness of different retinal cell types to IR and also their capacity to form histotypical structures following IR treatment.