Selective retinal ganglion cell vulnerability in older mice exposed to acute intraocular pressure elevation and the potential involvement of the P2X7-receptor

Abstract

Purpose : P2X7-receptors may contribute to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma. We examined RGC function following acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in older C57BL/6 (WT) mice and P2X7-receptor knockout (P2X7-KO) mice using a multielectrode array (MEA). Methods : In 13-month-old WT (n=15) and P2X7-KO mice (n=9), the anterior chamber of one eye was cannulated (50μm glass micropipette connected to a height-adjustable Hanks balanced salt solution reservoir) to increase IOP to 50 mmHg for 30 minutes. The contralateral eye was cannulated without increasing IOP (sham). Three days following injury, mice were dark-adapted over-night and retinae were mounted onto an MEA to record ..