Mouse models of retinal ganglion cell death and glaucoma

Exp Eye Res. 2009 Apr;88(4):816-24. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2008.12.002. Epub 2008 Dec 7.

Abstract

Once considered too difficult to use for glaucoma studies, mice are now becoming a powerful tool in the research of the molecular and pathological events associated with this disease. Often adapting technologies first developed in rats, ganglion cell death in mice can be induced using acute models and chronic models of experimental glaucoma. Similarly, elevated IOP has been reported in transgenic animals carrying defects in targeted genes. Also, one group of mice, from the DBA/2 line of inbred animals, develops a spontaneous optic neuropathy with many features of human glaucoma that is associated with IOP elevation caused by an anterior chamber pigmentary disease. The advent of mice for glaucoma research is already having a significant impact on our understanding of this disease, principally because of the access to genetic manipulation technology and genetics already well established for these animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Cell Death
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Glaucoma / etiology
  • Glaucoma / genetics
  • Glaucoma / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / genetics
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / pathology*