Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measurements in childhood glaucoma: the role of scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: A central diagnostic tool in adult glaucoma is the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness. It can be assessed by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) or optical coherence tomography (OCT). However, studies investigating the relevance of pRNFL measurements in children are rare. This study aims to compare the glaucoma diagnosing ability of SLP and OCT pRNFL thickness measurements in a paediatric population. METHODS: This retrospective study included 105 children (glaucoma: 22 (21.0%); healthy glaucoma suspects: 83 (79.0%)) aged 4-18 years, examined with SLP (GDxPro/ECC, Carl Zeiss Meditec) and spectral-domain OCT (SPECTRALIS®, Heidelberg Engineering). The thickness of pRNFL sectors was compared between diseased and healthy participants. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC) and logistic regression results were used to compare the glaucoma discriminative capacity between SLP and OCT measurements. RESULTS: Using OCT, pRNFL thickness was decreased in the superior, nasal, and inferior quadrants of glaucoma patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001, each). With SLP, such a difference was only observed in the inferior quadrant (P = 0.011). A correlation between glaucoma diagnosis and OCT-measured pRNFL thickness was found in all quadrants (P < 0.001) other than the temporal. With SLP, a correlation was found for the total average thickness (P = 0.037) and inferior quadrant (P = 0.0019). Finally, the AUCs of OCT measurements were markedly higher than those of SLP (e.g., inferior quadrant: OCT 0.83, SLP 0.68). CONCLUSION: pRNFL thickness measurements using both OCT and SLP, correlate notably with the presence of glaucoma. In general, the diagnostic performance of pRNFL thickness measurements seems higher for OCT than for SLP. Thus, pRNFL thickness measurements could provide important information, complementing conventional clinical and functional parameters in the diagnostic process of paediatric glaucoma.

Age-related distribution and potential role of SNCB in topographically different retinal areas of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus, including the macula.

Evidence of an age-related increase of ß-synuclein (SNCB) in several parts of the visual system including the retina has been reported. SNCB is thought to function as an antagonist of α-synuclein in neurodegenerative diseases, but the exact role of SNCB remains unclear. The presented work studies two different aspects of the onset and role of SNCB in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). First, the topographical and intracellular distributions of SNCB in the RPE of non-human marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) were evaluated in paraffin-embedded eyes and RPE whole mounts from different developmental stages (neonatal, adolescent, and adult). Thus, revealed distinct lifetime-related alterations of the topographical and intracellular distributions of SNCB in the primate macula compared to the retinal periphery. Furthermore, the function and influences of SNCB on ARPE-19 cells and primary porcine RPE (ppRPE) cells were characterized by exposing these cells with recombinant SNCB (rSNCB) at different concentrations. Moreover, apoptosis, protein- and mRNA-expression levels of factors of the p53/MDM2 signaling cascade and inflammation- and oxidation-related genes were investigated. The observed dose-depended decreased apoptosis rates together with the PLD2 mediated activation of the p53 pathway promotes senescence-related processes in SNCB exposed common ARPE-19 cells from human origin. Further, increased HMOX1 and NOX4 levels indicate increased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses triggered by SNCB. The obtained differences in the distribution of SNCB in primate RPE together with alterations of cellular functions in rSNCB-exposed RPE cells (e.g., ARPE-19, ppRPE) support SNCB-related effects like inflammatory response and stress-related properties on RPE over lifetime. The possible functional relevance of SNCB in physiological aging converting into a pathophysiological condition should be investigated in further studies.

[The Aging Retina in the Context of Cerebral Neurodegenerative Diseases]. / Die alternde Retina im Kontext zerebraler neurodegenerativer Erkrankungen.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) consist of divers affections of the central nervous system related to etiology, localization, and of course of the disease. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias are best investigated together with socioeconomic conditions and play an important role in its high prevalence. This work will present ND diseases in the context of analogous retinal degeneration mechanisms and ophthalmological diseases. METHODS: Based on epidemiological data, the current neurological bibliography of ND has been considered. Additional ophthalmological data containing age-related retinal diseases were included in a comparative manner. Moreover, our own data dealing with similarities of cellular and molecular biomarkers in the retinal and cerebral aging process were included. RESULTS: AD is the most important neurological ND disease with increasing prevalence. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma are the most common retinal diseases with ND background and have an increasing prevalence. Irreversible loss of neurons, together with glial, microglial, extracellular, and vascular reactions are found both in the brain and retina and can show atrophic signs with onsets of plaques (AD), drusen (AMD) or optic degenerations. Alterations of cellular conditions result in irreversible functional impairments. Current therapeutic options preserve only residual function and preventive possibilities are actually missing. Molecular biomarkers have been identified to endorse a better understanding of ND and to provide new therapeutic options. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of cerebral AD shows similarities with retinal AMD, and cerebral dementias are comparable with the physiological age-related impairment of visual acuity. Optic degeneration may be similar to cerebral atrophy associated with retroocular compression. Improved understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms of cerebral and retinal diseases may help to establish preventive and therapeutic concepts in the future.

Novel everolimus-loaded nanocarriers for topical treatment of murine experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU).

In the present study, therapeutic effect of topically applied everolimus (EV)-loaded methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-hexyl substituted poly (lactic acid) (mPEGhexPLA) nanocarriers on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) were investigated. EAU was induced in B10.RIII mice via immunization with human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein peptide 161-180 (hIRBPp161-180) in complete Freund's adjuvant. Everolimus-loaded mPEGhexPLA (EV/mPEGhexPLA) nanocarriers were prepared by using a solvent evaporation method. On days 12-21 postimmunization (p.i.), the right eyes were treated five times daily either with 10 µl of 0.5% everolimus formulation or PBS (control). The EAU score of the eyes was determined histologically. On day 21 p.i., the peripheral immune responses were measured in serum, cervical lymph nodes (LN), and spleens via hIRBPp161-180-specific serum antibodies, cytokine secretion (ELISA), lymphocyte proliferation, and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg; flow cytometry). Compared to the PBS-treated mice, unilateral topical everolimus treatment significantly reduced EAU severity in both eyes (p < .05). The treatment reduced the antigen (Ag)-specific hIRBPp161-180-induced proliferation (p < .05), IL-2, IL-17, and IFN-γ secretion from cells isolated from the left and right cervical LN (p < .05). Under everolimus treatment, IL-10 secretion and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg frequency from cervical LN were enhanced. The proliferative response and cytokine secretion as well as the frequency of splenic Treg were almost unchanged. Topical administration of an everolimus formulation improved EAU in both eyes. The effect might also be related to systemic immunosuppressive effects, as several systemic cellular immune responses were influenced.

Cyclosporine A-Loaded Nanocarriers for Topical Treatment of Murine Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis.

In the present study, tissue distribution and the therapeutic effect of topically applied cyclosporine A (CsA)-loaded methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-hexyl substituted poly(lactic acid) (mPEGhexPLA) nanocarriers (ApidSOL) on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) were investigated. The CsA-loaded mPEGhexPLA nanocarrier was tolerated well locally and showed no signs of immediate toxicity after repeated topical application in mice with EAU. Upon unilateral CsA treatment, CsA accumulated predominantly in the corneal and sclera-choroidal tissue of the treated eye and in lymph nodes (LN). This regimen reduced EAU severity in treated eyes compared to PBS-treated controls. This improvement was accompanied by reduced T-cell count, T-cell proliferation, and IL-2 secretion of cells from ipsilateral LN. In conclusion, topical treatment with CsA-loaded mPEGhexPLA nanocarriers significantly improves the outcome of EAU.

Discontinuation of long-term adalimumab treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discontinuation of adalimumab (ADA) treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIAU). METHODS: Patients in whom ADA treatment was initiated for JIAU were included in this retrospective analysis. Reasons for discontinuing ADA treatment in patients with primary treatment response were analysed. RESULTS: Within a group of 387 JIAU patients, 59 of 68 patients who were treated with ADA achieved a sufficient response to treatment within 6 months. Here, 39 patients (66.1 %) were still on therapy at their last follow-up visit (mean treatment duration of 38.3 months, range 12-91). In another 20 patients, ADA had been discontinued after 1 or 2 years or later, in 10 % (n = 2), 45 % (n = 9) and 45 % (n = 9) of patients, respectively (mean 30.6 months; range 10-65). Reasons for discontinuing ADA were reactivation of uveitis (n = 8, 3.93 per 100 patient-years) or arthritis (n = 4; 1.97 per 100 patient-years), or ≥2 years of complete disease inactivity (n = 3, 1.47 per 100 patient-years), adverse events (n = 4; 1.89 per 100 patient-years), or other (n = 1; 0.47 per 100 patient-years). CONCLUSIONS: The data show a good primary response to ADA in patients with refractory JIAU. Due to the increasing rate of adalimumab failure or adverse events during long-term treatment, further treatment options may be required.

The pro-inflammatory role of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) in photoreceptors and retinal explants exposed to elevated pressure.

To determine the role of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) in cellular and tissue models of elevated pressure-induced neurodegeneration, regeneration, and inflammation. Mouse retinal photoreceptor-derived cells (661W) and retinal explants were incubated either under elevated pressure or in the presence of recombinant HMGB-1 (rHMGB-1) to investigate the mechanisms of response of photoreceptors. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and the quantitative real-time PCR were used to examine the expression levels of immunological factors (eg, HMGB-1, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)), Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR-2, TLR-4), apoptosis-related factors (eg, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad)) as well as cytokine expression (eg, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). The data revealed increased the expression of HMGB-1 and its receptors RAGE, TLR-2, and TLR-4, and TNF-α as well as pro-apoptotic factors (eg, Bad) as well as apoptosis in 661W cells exposed to elevated pressure. Co-cultivation of 661W cells with rHMGB-1 increased the expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bad and cleaved Caspase-3 resulting in apoptosis. Cytokine array studies revealed an increased release of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and VEGF after incubation of 661W cells with rHMGB-1. Upregulation of HMGB-1, TLR-2, and RAGE as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression levels was found in the retinal explants exposed to rHMGB-1 or elevated pressure. The results suggest that HMGB-1 promotes an inflammatory response and mediates apoptosis in the pathology of photoreceptors and retinal homeostasis. HMGB-1 may have a key role in ongoing damage of retinal cells under conditions of elevated intraocular pressure.

Effects of crystallin-ß-b2 on stressed RPE in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Crystallins are thought to play a cytoprotective role in conditions of cellular stress. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of crystallin-ß-b2 (cryß-b2) and crystallin-ß-b3 (cryß-b3) on ARPE-19 cells in vitro and on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in vivo. METHODS: The influence of cryß-b2 and cryß-b3 on the viability, proliferation and dying of ARPE-19 was measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay, bromo-2-deoxyuridine assay and life/death assay. The expressions of cryß-b2, cryß-b3, glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and galectin-3 (Gal-3) in ARPE-19 cells were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting (WB) and real-time-quantitative-PCR (qRT-PCR). To evaluate the response of cryß-b2 and cryß-b3 to stressed ARPE-19 cells, the cells were exposed to UV-light. In a rat model, cryß-b2-expressing neural progenitor cells (cryß-b2-NPCs) were injected intravitreally after retinal stress induced by optic nerve axotomy to examine whether they influence the RPE. Protein expression was examined 2 and 4 weeks postsurgery using IHC and WB. RESULTS: Detectable alterations of GDNF, and Gal-3 were found in ARPE-19 cells upon exposure to UV light. Adding the crystallins to the medium promoted proliferation and increased viability of ARPE-19 cells in vitro. The obtained data support the view that these crystallins possess epithelioprotective properties. Likewise, in vivo, intravitreally injected cryß-b2 and transplanted cryß-b2-NPCs protected RPE from indirectly induced stress. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the RPE response to retinal ganglion cell denegeration is mediated via crystallins, which may thus be used therapeutically.

Traumatology of the optic nerve and contribution of crystallins to axonal regeneration.

Within a few decades, the repair of long neuronal pathways such as spinal cord tracts, the optic nerve or intracerebral tracts has gone from being strongly contested to being recognized as a potential clinical challenge. Cut axonal stumps within the optic nerve were originally thought to retract and become irreversibly necrotic within the injury zone. Optic nerve astrocytes were assumed to form a gliotic scar and remodelling of the extracellular matrix to result in a forbidden environment for re-growth of axons. Retrograde signals to the ganglion cell bodies were considered to prevent anabolism, thus also initiating apoptotic death and gliotic repair within the retina. However, increasing evidence suggests the reversibility of these regressive processes, as shown by the analysis of molecular events at the site of injury and within ganglion cells. We review optic nerve repair from the perspective of the proximal axon stump being a major player in determining the successful formation of a growth cone. The axonal stump and consequently the prospective growth cone, communicates with astrocytes, microglial cells and the extracellular matrix via a panoply of molecular tools. We initially highlight these aspects on the basis of recent data from numerous laboratories. Then, we examine the mechanisms by which an injury-induced growth cone can sense its surroundings within the area distal to the injury. Based on requirements for successful axonal elongation within the optic nerve, we explore the models employed to instigate successful growth cone formation by ganglion cell stimulation and optic nerve remodelling, which in turn accelerate growth. Ultimately, with regard to the proteomics of regenerating retinal tissue, we discuss the discovery of isoforms of crystallins, with crystallin beta-b2 (crybb2) being clearly upregulated in the regenerating retina. Crystallins are produced and used to promote the elongation of growth cones. In vivo and in vitro, crystallins beta and gamma additionally promote the growth of axons by enhancing the production of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), indicating that they also act on astrocytes to promote axonal regrowth synergistically. These are the first data showing that axonal regeneration is related to crybb2 movement within neurons and to additional stimulation of CNTF. We demonstrate that neuronal crystallins constitute a novel class of neurite-promoting factors that probably operate through an autocrine and paracrine mechanism and that they can be used in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the post-injury fate of neurons cannot be seen merely as inevitable but, instead, must be regarded as a challenge to shape conditions for initiating growth cone formation to repair the damaged optic nerve.

Microvascular and Morphologic Changes of the Macula over Lifetime.

In ocular, neurologic, and cardiovascular diseases, macular segmentation data from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) provide morphologic, and OCT-angiography (OCTA) results give microvascular information about the macula. Age was shown to influence both methods' measurements. To further characterize this association, macular SD-OCT and OCTA changes were investigated in a population of juvenile, adult, and older individuals. Macular segment thickness and superficial (SCP) and deep plexus (DCP) vascular density (VD) of 157 healthy individuals aged 10-79 years were analyzed retrospectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare age groups. The association between macular segmentation and OCTA parameters and between these and age was evaluated using linear regression. ANOVA and linear regression analysis showed a thickness decrease in the whole macular and in the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers with age. While the foveal avascular zone area remained constant between age groups, VD of the SCP and DCP also decreased with age. In multiple linear regression, SCP and DCP VD were associated with inner macular segment thickness in an age-independent way. To conclude, the age-related microvascular and morphological changes in the macula described in this study can contribute to improving the understanding of macular aging processes and better interpreting OCT(A) results in healthy individuals and patients suffering from various retinal diseases.

Use of intravitreal triamcinolone and bevacizumab in Coats' disease with central macular edema.

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal application of triamcinolone and bevacizumab in Coats' disease with macular edema to improve visual outcome. METHODS: Testing of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, 30° perimetry, and full-field electroretinography were performed at initial and follow-up visits. Medical treatment consisted of intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevazicumab and 1.25 mg triamcinolone, followed by intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevazicumab at weeks 4 and 10. Follow-up was 87 weeks. RESULTS: Perimetric results, including a temporal absolute scotoma and reduced electroretinographic amplitudes (photopic and scotopic conditions), did not significantly change during the follow-up, but foveal retinal thickness decreased from 505 µm to 212 µm, and BCVA increased from 0.3 at baseline to 1.25 and remained stable during subsequent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Combined intravitreal treatment with bevacizumab and triamcinolone resulted in significant decrease of central retinal thickness and improved visual acuity in this case report. Severe local or systemic side-effects were not observed.

Microvascular and Structural Alterations of the Macula in Early to Moderate Glaucoma: An Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography Study.

In glaucoma, macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) typically shows a thinning of the three inner segments and OCT-angiography (OCTA) a reduction of the vascular density (VD). It is still unclear if glaucoma directly affects macular VD. This retrospective study included 31 glaucoma patients of early and moderate stage (GS1, GS2, Mills et al.) and 39 healthy individuals. Macular segments' thickness and superficial and deep plexus vascular density (VD) were obtained using spectral-domain OCT and OCTA, respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare healthy controls and glaucoma patients according to their glaucoma stage. Using correlation analyses, the association between glaucoma and either OCT or OCTA parameters was evaluated. A glaucoma stage-stratified linear regression analysis was then performed. Inner macular segment and whole retinal thickness were reduced in GS1 and GS2 patients compared to healthy controls (e.g., ganglion cell layer GCL: controls: 47.9 ± 7.4, GS1: 45.8 ± 5.1, GS2: 30.6 ± 9.4, ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Regarding OCTA-parameters, the VD of both segmentation levels was reduced in glaucoma patients, particularly when comparing GS2 patients with controls (superficial plexus: p = 0.004) and GS2 with GS1 (p = 0.0008). Linear regression revealed an association between these parameters and the presence of glaucoma (for superior plexus: R2 = 0.059, p = 0.043). Finally, a correlation between macular segment thickness and VD was observed, but with a strength increasing with glaucoma severity (GCL and superior plexus VD: controls: R2 = 0.23, GS1 R2 = 0.40, GS2 R2 = 0.76). Despite the glaucoma-independent correlation between macular segment thickness and VD, disease severity strengthens this correlation. This consideration suggests that glaucoma directly influences OCT and OCTA parameters individually.

The Paediatric Glaucoma Diagnostic Ability of Optical Coherence Tomography: A Comparison of Macular Segmentation and Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness.

Paediatric glaucoma leads to a decreased thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and of the macula. These changes can be precisely quantified using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Despite abundant reports in adults, studies on the diagnostic capacity of macular SD-OCT in paediatric glaucoma are rare. The aim of this study was to compare the glaucoma discriminative ability of pRNFL and macular segment thickness in paediatric glaucoma patients and healthy children. Data of 72 children aged 5-17 years (glaucoma: 19 (26.4%), healthy: 53 (73.6%)) examined with SD-OCT (SPECTRALIS®, Heidelberg Engineering) were analysed retrospectively. The thickness of pRNFL sectors and of macular segment subfields were compared between diseased and healthy participants. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity from logistic regression were used to evaluate the glaucoma discriminative capacity of single and combined pRNFL and macular segments' thickness. The results revealed a reduced thickness of the pRNFL and of the three inner macular layers in glaucoma patients, which correlates highly with the presence of glaucoma. The highest glaucoma discriminative ability was observed for the combination of pRNFL sectors or inner macular segments (AUC: 0.83 and 0.85, respectively), although sensitivity remained moderate (both 63% at 95% specificity). In conclusion, while confirmation from investigations in larger cohorts is required, SD-OCT-derived pRNFL and macular thickness measurements seem highly valuable for the diagnosis of paediatric glaucoma.

Individualized Significance of 24-Hour Intraocular Pressure Curves for Therapeutic Decisions in Primary Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic 24-hour intraocular pressure curves (IPC) are well established in the management of glaucoma. However, objective criteria for the IPC indication are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of individual patient characteristics and glaucoma-related parameters on therapy decisions after IPC and thus examine their relevance for glaucoma management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of adult primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients who underwent an IPC (≥6 IOP measurements in 24 hours). The main exclusion criterion was previous IOP-lowering surgery. IPC-dependent (eg, mean and peak IOP) and IPC-independent parameters (eg, perimetry, RNFL thickness) were analyzed in relation to the therapeutic decision after IPC. Further, these parameters were compared in patient subgroups based on age, glaucoma stage, or therapy intensity. RESULTS: A total of 101 eyes of 101 patients were included. In general, mean and peak IOP were elevated in patients with a therapeutic change after IPC. These subjects presented differences of IPC-independent parameters (eg, IOP at admission, RNFL thickness, glaucoma stage). Regression analysis results suggested a predictive role of IPC-independent parameters for IPC therapeutic decisions. In subgroups of patients of older age or advanced glaucoma, IPC-independent parameters did not correlate with therapeutic decisions after IPC. CONCLUSION: These results support the relevance of IPC in the therapeutic management of POAG. Moreover, the study promotes a personalized classification of patients using selected glaucoma characteristics to objectivize their individual benefit from IPC. Further prospective studies are needed to verify the utility of these parameters and IPC in the management of glaucoma.

Analyzing the impact of glaucoma on the macular architecture using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: Using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) the retina can be segmented automatically to visualize all retinal layers. In glaucoma chronically elevated intraocular pressure leads to a decline of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) which changes retinal architecture. The goal of these analyses was to gain insight into the changes induced by glaucoma within all macular layers using SD-OCT within a closely circumscribed glaucoma cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SD-OCT measurements with automated retinal layer segmentation were performed in both eyes of primary open-angle glaucoma patients with a defined monocular absolute visual field scotoma in the central 10° of the visual field and in an age-matched healthy control group. Thickness of single retinal layers and entire retina were compared with special attention to the localization of the visual field scotoma in the glaucomatous eyes. RESULTS: 30 eyes of 15 glaucoma patients and 15 eyes of 15 healthy controls were included in this study. Statistical significant thickness differences were detected in the control group between superior and inferior retina for the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL). In the glaucoma group thickness differences between worse and less affected eyes in the RNFL, the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the inner plexiform layers (INL) were found. Comparison between healthy and diseased eyes revealed significant thickness differences in the RNFL, GCL, IPL and total retinal thickness but not the outer retinal layers. CONCLUSION: Comparison between SD-OCT measurements of the macula between healthy and glaucomatous eyes in a closely circumscribed disease stage showed a pronounced disease impact on the inner but not the outer retina. These results provide evidence that GCL and IPL thickness seem to be good measures to discriminate between affected and unaffected eyes in testing for glaucoma.

Age-related Beta-synuclein Alters the p53/Mdm2 Pathway and Induces the Apoptosis of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells In Vitro.

Increased ß-synuclein (Sncb) expression has been described in the aging visual system. Sncb functions as the physiological antagonist of α-synuclein (Snca), which is involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. However, the exact function of Sncb remains unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the age-dependent role of Sncb in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). BMECs were isolated from the cortices of 5- to 9-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats and were cultured with different concentrations of recombinant Sncb (rSncb) up to 72 h resembling to some degree age-related as well as pathophysiological conditions. Viability, apoptosis, expression levels of Snca, and the members of phospholipase D2 (Pld2)/ p53/ Mouse double minute 2 homolog (Mdm2)/p19(Arf) pathway, response in RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), and stress-mediating factors such as heme oxygenase (decycling) 1 (Hmox) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxygenase 4 (Nox4) were examined. rSncb-induced effects were confirmed through Sncb small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown in BMECs. We demonstrated that the viability decreases, while the rate of apoptosis underly dose-dependent alterations. For example, apoptosis increases in BMECs following the treatment with higher dosed rSncb. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in Snca immunostaining and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels following the exposure to higher rScnb concentrations. Akt was shown to be downregulated and pAkt upregulated by this treatment, which was accompanied by a dose-independent increase in p19(Arf) levels and enhanced intracellular Mdm2 translocation in contrast to a dose-dependent p53 activation. Moreover, Pld2 activity was shown to be induced in rSncb-treated BMECs. The expression of Hmox and Nox4 after Sncb treatment was altered on BEMCs. The obtained results demonstrate dose-dependent effects of Sncb on BMECs in vitro. For example, the p53-mediated and Akt-independent apoptosis together with the stress-mediated response of BMECs related to exposure of higher SNCB concentrations may reflect the increase in Sncb with duration of culture as well as its impact on cell decay. Further studies, expanding on the role of Sncb, may help understand its role in the neurodegenerative diseases.

Ocular Hypotony in Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To analyze occurrence, risk factors, and course of ocular hypotony (OH) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIAU). DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Epidemiologic and ophthalmologic data at baseline and during follow-up of JIAU patients with and without ocular hypotony were evaluated. RESULTS: OH developed in 57 of the 365 JIAU patients during the follow-up (mean 4.5 ± 3.5 years). In 40 patients with follow-up ≥12 months, OH was unrelated to previous ocular surgery: risk factors at baseline (univariate logistic regression analysis) included longer total duration of uveitis (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, P < .001), bilateral uveitis (OR 3.51, P = .009), low visual acuity (OR 5.1, P = .001), high laser-flare (LF) values (OR 1.74, P = .01), and presence of posterior synechiae (OR 3.28, P = .004). Increased anterior chamber (AC) cell and LF values were observed within 3 months prior to onset of transient (≤3 months; 37.5%) or persistent OH (>3 months; 62.5%). AC cell and LF values decreased within 3 months after onset of transient OH, while LF levels remained elevated ≥12 months in persistent OH. Optic disc edema and epiretinal membrane formation was found more frequently after OH onset. CONCLUSIONS: OH was observed in 15.6% of JIAU patients. Longer total uveitis duration, bilateral uveitis, low visual acuity, high AC flare and LF grades, and presence of posterior synechiae at baseline were risk factors for subsequent OH. Burden of OH might be improved with immunosuppression.

Is Angiostatin Involved in Physiological Foveal Avascularity?

Purpose: The primate central retina is characterized by an avascular fovea and well-defined perifoveal capillary plexus. Neither blood vessels nor their accompanying astrocytes enter the fovea during any stage of retinal development; a balance of angiogenic and angiostatic factors probably maintains foveal avascularity throughout life. The aim of this study was to identify potentially angiorepulsive factors involved in the development of the avascular primate retinal fovea. Methods: Retinas of newborn, juvenile, and adult Callithrix jacchus and Macaca fascicularis monkeys and control human retinas were studied to determine the localization of angiostatin relative to III ß-tubulin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM), and the angiostatin receptor αvß3-integrin in the foveal, macular, and peripheral retina. Expression studies were performed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) on retinal whole-mount and paraffin sections, and Western blotting on frozen material. The complex network of the main retinal cell types was identified by IHC of retinal whole mounts. Results: In general, lifetime expression of angiostatin was found in all retinas. Colabeling with different markers revealed retinal ganglion cells as the main source of angiostatin expression in the primate retina, whereas PECAM-immunopositive blood capillaries expressed the angiostatin receptor αvß3-integrin, and capillary-associated astrocytes expressed VEGF. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence of angiostatin expression in the primate retina; the expression of angiostatin in the avascular foveal region and the peripheral retina suggests that angiostatin may play a role in the regulation of retinal vascularization, providing a possible explanation for the development and persistence of an avascular fovea.

Life-time expression of the proteins peroxiredoxin, beta-synuclein, PARK7/DJ-1, and stathmin in the primary visual and primary somatosensory cortices in rats.

Four distinct proteins are regulated in the aging neuroretina and may be regulated in the cerebral cortex, too: peroxiredoxin, beta-synuclein, PARK[Parkinson disease(autosomal recessive, early onset)]7/DJ-1, and Stathmin. Thus, we performed a comparative analysis of these proteins in the the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and primary visual cortex (V1) in rats, in order to detect putative common development-, maturation- and age-related changes. The expressions of peroxiredoxin, beta-synuclein, PARK[Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, early onset)]7/DJ-1, and Stathmin were compared in the newborn, juvenile, adult, and aged S1 and V1. Western blot (WB), quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were employed to determine whether the changes identified by proteomics were verifiable at the cellular and molecular levels. All of the proteins were detected in both of the investigated cortical areas. Changes in the expressions of the four proteins were found throughout the life-time of the rats. Peroxiredoxin expression remained unchanged over life-time. Beta-Synuclein expression was massively increased up to the adult stage of life in both the S1 and V1. PARK[Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, early onset)]7/DJ-1 exhibited a massive up-regulation in both the S1 and V1 at all ages. Stathmin expression was massively down regulated after the neonatal period in both the S1 and V1. The detected protein alterations were analogous to their retinal profiles. This study is the first to provide evidence that peroxiredoxin, beta-synuclein, PARK[Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, early onset)]7/DJ-1, and Stathmin are associated with postnatal maturation and aging in both the S1 and V1 of rats. These changes may indicate their involvement in key functional pathways and may account for the onset or progression of age-related pathologies.

Retinal damage induced by mirror-reflected light from a laser pointer.

The safety of laser pointers is a major public health issue since class I and II laser pointers are available worldwide and used as toys by children despite several reports cautioning such use. Here we present the first case of retinal injury caused by the laser beam of a toy laser pointer operated by a school boy and directed via the rear-view mirror of a bus into the eye of the driver. This case emphasises the great importance of cautious and appropriate use of low-energy laser pointers. Laser pointers of any class should not be made available to children because they are unlikely to understand the risks of such lasers when using them in play.