Gliosis and Innate Inflammation in Glaucoma
Neuroinflammation is a key mediator of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases of the retina and brain. Our work showed that astrogliosis is toxic to retinal ganglion cells in a mouse model of glaucoma. We are currently pursuing both translational and basic science projects studying the role resident microglia and infiltrating macrophages play in the death of retinal ganglion cells.
Iron Chelation in Glaucoma
Although iron plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism, in excess it is a generator of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has long been implicated in glaucoma pathogenesis. In close collaboration with the Dunaief lab, we are evaluating iron chelation as a neuroprotective mechanism in glaucoma.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Glaucoma
Retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve are susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction, which results in increased oxidative stress and impaired ATP synthesis. In collaboration with the Wallace lab, we are evaluating the ocular phenotype in both mouse and humans with mitochondrial DNA mutations affecting the electron transport chain. Our study tests for a direct connection between genetically-determined mitochondrial dysfunction and glaucoma.