In Vitro Effect of CNTF, FGF-9, IL-1α on Human Optic Nerve Head Astrocytes

Tovar, Tara., In Vitro Effect of CNTF, FGF-9, and IL-1α on Human Optic Nerve Head Astrocytes. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), August 2004, 100 pp., 4 tables, 35 illustrations, bibliography, 163 titles. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. A major risk factor for glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure that leads to pathological changes in the optic nerve head (ONH). Astrocytes within the ONH become activated in glaucoma and may create an environment detrimental to retinal ganglion cell axons. The factors that cause activation of the ONH astrocytes (ONA) are unknown, although there is evidence that CNTF, FGF-9, and IL-1α activate glial cells within the CNS. The purpose of this research was to determine if exogenous CNTF, FGF-9, and/or IL-1α activate human ONH astrocytes.