Glutamate receptor activation triggers OPA1 release and induces apoptotic cell death in ischemic rat retina.

Abstract

These results indicate that OPA1 release from mitochondria triggered by acute IOP elevation is inhibited by blockade of glutamate receptor activation. Because this effect was accompanied by increases of Bcl-2 expression, no changes of Bax expression, and blockade of apoptosis, these findings indicate that glutamate receptor activation following acute IOP elevation may lead to a distinct mitochondria-mediated cell death pathway in ischemic retina. These results support further studies to determine whether ischemia-induced OPA1 release may be an important component of the biochemical cascade leading to pressure-related ischemic damage in glaucomatous retina.