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Abstract #47071 Published in IGR 13-3
Myelination transition zone astrocytes: A novel cell type in the optic nerve with a putative role in glaucoma
Prasanna G; Pang L-HExpert Review of Ophthalmology 2011; 6: 291-294
Evaluation of: Nguyen J, Soto I, Kim KY et al. Myelination transition zone astrocytes are constitutively phagocytic and have synuclein dependent reactivity in glaucoma. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 108(3), 1176-1181 (2011). Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is characterized by retinal ganglion cell death and optic nerve axon loss. Optic nerve head astrocytes are involved in regulating physiologic and pathophysiologic effects on the unmyelinated axons of the optic nerve. Presently we evaluate an article that has identified a novel subpopulation of optic nerve head astrocytes termed myelination transition zone (MTZ) astrocytes. Based on the specific expression of phagocytic marker for myelin (Mac-2), MTZ astrocytes appear to possess a constitutive role in clearing axonal debris via phagocytosis, which is proposed to protect the nerve from further damage. Mac-2 expression is elevated in glaucomatous mice and regulated by (gamma)-synuclein, a chaperone protein and marker for retinal ganglion cells. Additional characterization of phagocytosis via direct interactions between (gamma)-synuclein/Mac-2 in MTZ astrocytes could be useful while confirming the presence of MTZ astrocytes in human optic nerve tissues. Characterization of the role of MTZ astrocytes in regulating mitochondrial transport/turnover and release on neurite inhibitory factors in the optic nerve in glaucoma may be highly relevant.
G. Prasanna. Glaucoma Research, Alcon Research Ltd., Mail Code R9-11, 6201 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76134-2099, United States.
Classification:
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
2.14 Optic disc (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
