Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Cover Image for Volume 58, Issue 8
June 2017
Volume 58, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2017
Sigma 1 receptor mediated neuroprotection in a rat model of glaucoma
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Kathryn E Bollinger
    Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • Barbara A Mysona
    Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • Jing Zhao
    Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • graydon gonsalvez
    Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • Sylvia B Smith
    Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Kathryn Bollinger, None; Barbara Mysona, None; Jing Zhao, None; graydon gonsalvez, None; Sylvia Smith, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  5K08EY021758-05
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2017, Vol.58, 2574. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Kathryn E Bollinger, Barbara A Mysona, Jing Zhao, graydon gonsalvez, Sylvia B Smith; Sigma 1 receptor mediated neuroprotection in a rat model of glaucoma. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2017;58(8):2574.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose : Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Presently, no effective treatment exists for glaucoma-induced degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. One possible neuroprotective target is sigma-1 receptor (S1R). S1R is a multifunctional molecular chaperone found in neurons and glia at the mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum interface. S1R mediates Ca2+ signaling, the antioxidant stress response, ER stress, and neurotrophin expression, all of which are critical to RGC health and survival. S1R ligands are potential therapeutic targets in other neurodegenerative conditions; however, effects of S1R activation in glaucoma have not been investigated.

Methods : Intraocular injection of microbeads was used to induce ocular hypertension in Sprague-Dawley rat retired breeders. Tonometer (TonoLab) measurement of ocular pressure was performed on conscious rats, 2-3 times per week for the duration of the experiment. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with the SR1 specific agonist (+)-pentazocine (PTZ). PTZ was administered (0.5 mg/kg, 3 times per week) by intraperitoneal injection starting 1 week before through 5 weeks after onset of ocular hypertension. Contralateral eyes as well as non-injected eyes served as controls. After 5 weeks of ocular hypertension optic nerves were harvested and processed for electron microscopy (EM). Axon numbers were calculated based on axon counts from 1000x EM images covering at least 10% of the optic nerve cross sectional area. Eyes were frozen in OCT then sectioned for immunohistochemical analysis.

Results : Although animal numbers used in this study were small, the results were promising. After 5 weeks of elevated ocular hypertension axon numbers were significantly reduced by 30% compared to contralateral control eyes (n=3, * P< 0.05). Treatment with PTZ protected axons from ocular hypertension, preserving axon numbers to levels comparable to contralateral controls.

Conclusions : Our results indicate that S1R activation is a promising strategy for providing neuroprotection in glaucoma. Further studies to elucidate the mechanisms by which S1R prevents axon loss in glaucoma will contribute to developing a cure for this blinding disease.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×