title: Rapid and noninvasive imaging of retinal ganglion cells in live mouse models of glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a noninvasive method for the monitoring of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in live mice utilizing standard fluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transgenic mice expressing cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) under the regulation of an RGC-specific promoter Thy1 were used in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We established that Thy1-CFP expression is a quantitative reflection of the number of surviving RGCs, the fluorescence emission is stable for at least a year and that the loss of fluorescence correlates directly to glaucomatous damage. In high pressure glaucoma model, the peripheral retina is preferentially affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our live-imaging technique allows for the longitudinal assessment of RGC survival from the same animal. Noninvasive monitoring of neuronal cell death and survival is a powerful technique that would allow investigators to validate new potential glaucoma therapy based on neuroprotection.
authors: Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, Box 18, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors: Joaquin
authors: J
authors: Tosi
authors: Nan-Kai
authors: NK
authors: Wang
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Zhao
authors: Chai Lin
authors: CL
authors: Chou
authors: J Mie
authors: JM
authors: Kasanuki
authors: Stephen H
authors: SH
authors: Tsang
authors: Takayuki
authors: T
authors: Nagasaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005453:Fluorescence; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000633:toxicity; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C485182:Cyan Fluorescent Protein; D009498:Neurotoxins; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D007608:Kainic Acid