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975592 
Journal Article 
Mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell injury and defense in glaucoma 
Qu, J; Wang, DY; Grosskreutz, CL 
2011 
Yes 
Experimental Eye Research
ISSN: 0014-4835
EISSN: 1096-0007 
93 
2 
48-53 
English 
WOS:000295201900015 
Glaucoma is a disease in which retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) die leading ultimately to blindness. Over the past decade and a half, information has begun to emerge regarding specific molecular responses of the retina to conditions of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It is now clear that the state of the RGC in glaucoma depends on a balance of pro-survival and pro-death pathways in the retina and details of these responses are still being worked out. In this review, we will discuss the evidence suorting the involvement of specific apoptotic cascades as well as the insults that trigger RGC apoptosis. In addition, we will present evidence supporting the existence of endogenous protective mechanisms as well as exogenous neuroprotective strategies. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
apoptosis; neuroprotection; caspase; calcineurin; calpain