title: Inherited glaucoma in DBA/2J mice: pertinent disease features for studying the neurodegeneration.
abstract: The glaucomas are neurodegenerative diseases involving death of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve head excavation. A major risk factor for this neurodegeneration is a harmfully elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Human glaucomas are typically complex, progressive diseases that are prevalent in the elderly. Family history and genetic factors are clearly important in human glaucoma. Mouse studies have proven helpful for investigating the genetic and mechanistic basis of complex diseases. We previously reported inherited, age-related progressive glaucoma in DBA/2J mice. Here, we report our updated findings from studying the disease in a large number of DBA/2J mice. The period when mice have elevated IOP extends from 6 months to 16 months, with 8-9 months representing an important transition to high IOP for many mice. Optic nerve degeneration follows IOP elevation, with the majority of optic nerves being severely damaged by 12 months of age. This information should help with the design of experiments, and we present the data in a manner that will be useful for future studies of retinal ganglion cell degeneration and optic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Libby
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Iok-Hou
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Zachary H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Olga V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Savinova
authors.forename: I Mihai
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Cosma
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.forename: Lawriston A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Abbot F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Simon W M
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007498:Iris / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004247:DNA