Dysfunctional cGMP Signaling Leads to Age-Related Retinal Vascular Alterations and Astrocyte Remodeling in Mice.

ABSTRACT: The nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase-1-cyclic guanylate monophosphate (NO-GC-1-cGMP) pathway is integral to the control of vascular tone and morphology. Mice lacking the alpha catalytic domain of guanylate cyclase (GC1^-/-) develop retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration with age, with only modest fluctuations in intraocular pressure (IOP). Increasing the bioavailability of cGMP in GC1^-/- mice prevents neurodegeneration independently of IOP, suggesting alternative mechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration. In continuation to these studies, we explored the hypothesis that dysfunctional cGMP signaling leads to changes in the neurovascular unit that may contribute to RGC degeneration. We assessed retinal vasculature and astrocyte morphology in young and aged

SUBMITTER: Holden JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8954518 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature