Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:07
An Optic Nerve Crush Injury Murine Model to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival
Published on: April 25, 2011
Optic nerve astrocyte reactivity protects function in experimental glaucoma and other nerve injuries
Daniel Sun1, Sara Moore2, Tatjana C Jakobs2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 daniel_sun@meei.harvard.edu.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|April 19, 2017
Summary
Reactive astrocytes protect vision in optic nerve injuries. Blocking signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in astrocytes worsened vision loss and cell death in experimental glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Reactive astrocyte remodeling occurs in optic nerve head injuries like glaucoma.
- The functional impact of astrocyte reactivity on visual function remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in astrocyte reactivity and its consequences for visual function after optic nerve injury.
- To determine if STAT3 signaling in astrocytes is protective or detrimental to ganglion cell survival and vision.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Cre-loxP system under the glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter to selectively delete STAT3 in astrocytes.
- Induced experimental glaucoma and optic nerve crush in STAT3 knockout and wild-type mice.
- Assessed astrocyte hypertrophy, reactive remodeling, ganglion cell survival, and visual function over 30 days.
Main Results:
- STAT3 knockout mice showed reduced astrocyte hypertrophy and reactive remodeling post-injury.
- Astrocyte organization (honeycomb structure, glial tubes) was better preserved in STAT3 knockout mice.
- However, STAT3 knockout mice experienced increased ganglion cell loss and visual function decline.
Conclusions:
- Reactive astrocytes play a crucial protective role in preserving visual function following optic nerve injury.
- STAT3 signaling is a key mediator of the reactive astrocyte phenotype and contributes to neuroprotection in the optic nerve head.
Related Concept Videos
01:04Glial Cells
Overview
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:31Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells
Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...