Identification of a population of amarcine cells rich in insulin receptors

Insulin receptor immunoreactivity in the developing chick retina was examined by immunocytochemistry. Insulin receptor immunoreactivity could be detected throughout the retina at all stages studied. Beginning at E12, a limited number of amacrine cells located in the inner level of the inner nuclear layer were strongly immunoreactive. By E19 there was a decrease in immunoreactivity throughout the retina, with the exception of the ganglion cell layer and a few amacrine cells and their process; this distribution was present in 3-day-old posthatched chick retina. The pattern of immunoreactivity of insulin receptors may indicate a unique role for insulin in the development and physiology of some amacrine cells.