Date of Award
9-3-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Neuroscience
First Advisor
Simon Kaja
Abstract
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide and involves optic nerve head remodeling, axonal damage, and retinal ganglion cell death. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common subtype in the U.S., with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) being a key risk factor. Current management focuses on IOP-lowering therapies or surgical interventions, yet vision loss often continues, and up to 20% of patients may still experience blindness, highlighting the need for new treatments to halt disease progression. This thesis explores the role of optic nerve head astrocytes (ONHA), the main glial cells providing support in the optic nerve head, in early glaucomatous changes. ONHA undergo reactive astrocytosis in response to elevated IOP, involving cytoskeletal changes and oxidative stress. Findings suggest that mechanosensitive pathways, not oxidative stress alone, drive these changes, and dysregulated calcium signaling could be a potential target for novel glaucoma therapies.
Recommended Citation
Kessinger, Cassidy, "Role of Ca2+ Signaling in Mechanical Strain-Induced Reactive Astrocytosis in Primary Optic Nerve Head Astrocytes" (2024). Master's Theses. 4546.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/4546
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
