Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Heather M Cathcart
Tanzania
Research Article
Astrocyte Reactivity: A Biomarker for Ganglion Cell Health in Retinal Neurodegeneration
Author(s): Cathryn R Formichella, Simone K Abella, Stephanie M Sims, Heather M Cathcart and Rebecca M SappingtonCathryn R Formichella, Simone K Abella, Stephanie M Sims, Heather M Cathcart and Rebecca M Sappington
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in glaucoma is sectorial in nature and preceded by deficits in axonal transport. Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of glaucoma in the retina, optic nerve and visual centers of the brain, where it similarly appears to be regulated spatially. In a murine model, we examined the spatial characteristics of astrocyte reactivity (migration/proliferation, hypertrophy and GFAP expression) in healthy retina, retina with two glaucoma-related risk factors (aging and genetic predisposition) and glaucomatous retina and established relationships between these reactivity indices and the spatial organization of astrocytes as well as RGC health. Astrocyte reactivity was quantified by morphological techniques and RGC health was determined by uptake and transport of the neural tracer cholera toxin beta subunit (CTB). We found that: (1) astro.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9899.1000188