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Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
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Signalling pathways and cell death mechanisms in glaucoma: Insights into the molecular pathophysiology
Devaraj Basavarajappa1, Caridad Galindo-Romero2, Vivek Gupta1
1Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Molecular Aspects of Medicine
|October 19, 2023
Summary
Glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss through retinal ganglion cell death. Understanding molecular pathways beyond intraocular pressure is key to developing new glaucoma treatments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- It involves retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve degeneration.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor, but not the sole cause of glaucoma pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of RGC degenerative mechanisms in glaucoma.
- To explore molecular signalling pathways involved in RGC survival and death.
- To highlight the role of various molecules and cell death pathways in glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human retinal tissue.
- Utilisation of experimental glaucoma models.
- Review of molecular evidence and signalling pathways.
Main Results:
- Glaucoma pathogenesis involves complex multifactorial mechanisms.
- The balance of pro-survival and pro-death signalling pathways is critical for RGCs.
- Numerous molecular pathways, including neurotrophins, kinases, proteases, and amyloid-beta, are implicated.
Conclusions:
- RGC degeneration in glaucoma is driven by intricate molecular networks.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing targeted glaucoma therapies.
- Regulated cell death pathways play a significant role in RGC loss in glaucoma.
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