Axon Regeneration in the Mammalian Optic Nerve
Philip R. Williams, Larry I. Benowitz, Jeffrey L. Goldberg, Zhigang He
Abstract
The damage or loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons accounts for the visual functional defects observed after traumatic injury, in degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, or in compressive optic neuropathies such as from optic glioma. By using optic nerve crush injury models, recent studies have revealed the cellular and molecular logic behind the regenerative failure of injured RGC axons in adult mammals and suggested several strategies with translational potential. This review summarizes these findings and discusses challenges for developing clinically applicable neural repair strategies.
Topics & Concepts
Optic nerveAxonRegeneration (biology)NeuroscienceRetinal ganglion cellGlaucomaCrush injuryMedicineRetinaBiologyAnatomyCell biologySurgeryNerve injury and regenerationAxon Guidance and Neuronal SignalingNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms