Measuring Deformation in the Mouse Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Sclera.
To develop an ex vivo explant system using multiphoton microscopy and digital volume correlation to measure the full-field deformation response to intraocular pressure (IOP) change in the peripapillary sclera (PPS) and in the optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytic structure.



Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-glutamate transporter-GLT1 (GLT1/GFP) mouse eyes were explanted and imaged with a laser-scanning microscope under controlled inflation. Images were analyzed for regional strains and changes in astrocytic lamina and PPS shape. Astrocyte volume fraction in seven control GLT1/GFP mice was measured. The level of fluorescence of GFP fluorescent astrocytes was compared with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) labeled astrocytes using immunohistochemistry.



The ONH astrocytic structure remained stable during 3 hours in explants. Control strain-globally, in the central one-half or two-thirds of the astrocytic lamina-was significantly greater in the nasal-temporal direction than in the inferior-superior or anterior-posterior directions (each P≤ 0.03, mixed models). The PPS opening (perimeter) in normal eye explants also became wider nasal-temporally than superior-inferiorly during inflation from 10 to 30 mm Hg (P = 0.0005). After 1 to 3 days of chronic IOP elevation, PPS area was larger than in control eyes (P = 0.035), perimeter elongation was 37% less than controls, and global nasal-temporal strain was significantly less than controls (P = 0.007). Astrocyte orientation was altered by chronic IOP elevation, with processes redirected toward the longitudinal axis of the optic nerve.



The explant inflation test measures the strain response of the mouse ONH to applied IOP. Initial studies indicate regional differences in response to both acute and chronic IOP elevation within the ONH region.
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Cathy
C
Nguyen
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Dan
D
Midgett
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Elizabeth C
EC
Kimball
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Matthew R
MR
Steinhart
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States 3Department of Materials Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Thao D
TD
Nguyen
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Mary E
ME
Pease
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Ericka N
EN
Oglesby
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Joan L
JL
Jefferys
The Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Harry A
HA
Quigley
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000166:cytology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012590:Sclera / Q000503:physiopathology*