Neuroglobin Can Prevent or Reverse Glaucomatous Progression in DBA/2J Mice.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial dysfunction is responsible for hereditary optic neuropathies. We wished to determine whether preserving mitochondrial bioenergetics could prevent optic neuropathy in a reliable model of glaucoma. DBA/2J mice exhibit elevated intraocular pressure, progressive degeneration of their retinal ganglion cells, and optic neuropathy that resembles glaucoma. We established that glaucoma in these mice is directly associated with mitochondrial dysfunction: respiratory chain activity was compromised in optic nerves 5 months before neuronal loss began, and the amounts of some mitochondrial proteins were reduced in retinas of glaucomatous mice. One of these proteins is neuroglobin, which has a neuroprotective function. Therefore, we investigated whether gene therapy aimed at restoring neuro

SUBMITTER: Cwerman-Thibault H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5430497 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature