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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
P2X7 receptor antagonism preserves retinal ganglion cells in glaucomatous mice
Giovanni Luca Romano1, Rosario Amato2, Francesca Lazzara1
1Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences Department, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.
Abstract:
To investigate the role of P2X7 receptor to preserve retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) structure and function in a genetic mouse model (DBA/2J mouse) of age-related glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Chronic treatment with P2X7 receptor antagonist eye drops was carried out in order to assess RGCs function and density by pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and RBPMS immunostaining, respectively. Further, microglia activation was assessed in flat-mounted retina by using Iba-1 immunostaining. Untreated glaucomatous eyes displayed significant microglia activation, alteration of PERG signal, and RGCs loss. In the P2X7 receptor antagonist-treated eyes, the PERG signal was significantly (p < 0.05) improved compared to controls, along with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in terms of retinal microglial activation, and remarkable preservation of RGCs density. Altogether, these findings demonstrated that topical treatment with a P2X7 receptor antagonist has a neuroprotective effect on RGCs in glaucomatous mice, suggesting an appealing pharmacological approach to prevent retinal degenerative damage in optic neuropathy.
