Reversible reactivity by optic nerve astrocytes

Reactive astrocytes are typically studied in models that cause irreversible mechanical damage to axons, neuronal cell bodies, and glia. Here, we evaluated the response of astrocytes in the optic nerve head to a subtle injury induced by a brief, mild elevation of the intraocular pressure. Astrocytes demonstrated reactive remodeling that peaked at three days, showing hypertrophy, process retraction, and simplification of their shape. This was not accompanied by any significant changes in the gene expression profile. At no time was there discernible damage to the optic axons, as evidenced by electron microscopy and normal anterograde and retrograde transport. Remarkably, the morphological remodeling was reversible. These findings underscore the plastic nature of reactivity. They show that reactivity can resolve fully if the insult is removed, and suggest that reactivity per se is not necessarily deleterious to axons. This reaction may represent very early events in the sequence that eventually leads to glial scarring.