Microglia/Macrophages and neuroprotection in Glaucoma

Project Summary

Glaucoma is a chronic disease in which the neurons, called retinal ganglion cells, undergo degeneration. Another trait of developing glaucoma is an increase of pressure within the eyes. Recently, a novel approach was proposed to utilize our body immunity to protect neurons in the eyes. Dr. Chang's study aims to define which factors or what conditions for the activation of innate immune cells can lead these cells to elicit protective effects. He will also study how a Chinese medicine, Chinese Wolfberry, exhibits protective effects to neurons in the eyes via mild activation of innate immune cells. Knowledge of how body immunity exerts protective effects to neurons in the eyes will hopefully pave a new road for therapeutic intervention against loss of vision in glaucoma.