International Review of Ophthalmology

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Recent advances in the protective effect of erythropoietin on retinal ganglion cells

ZHANG  Lan, QING Guo-ping.   

  1. Beijing  Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
  • Received:2016-04-10 Online:2016-06-25 Published:2016-06-26
  • Contact: QING Guo-ping, Email: gptsing@126.com
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Foundation of China(81471866)

Abstract:

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by optic degeneration, apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), and visual field loss.A major risk factor for the disease is pathological elevation of intraocular pressure. Now it is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.To delaying the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and to protecting injured optic nerve have aroused considerable attention in the field of glaucoma research.The researches on treating glaucoma have been focused on erythropoietin (EPO) in recent years. Studies have indicated that EPO can inhibit the apoptosis of RGC. EPO binds to its specific receptor (erythropoietin receptor, EPOR), then suppress different pathways (HIF-1 iNOS, RhoA/ROCK) and inhibits formation of the Bax/Bcl-2 complex to protect RGC.