Primary adult rat optic nerve head astrocytes

Summary: A validated, standardized screening method for glioprotective drug candidates using primary adult rat ONHAs.

Model Description

Optic nerve head remodeling is generally considered the earliest manifestation of the glaucomatous triad, resulting in the subsequent damage to the axons of the optic nerve and ultimately retinal ganglion cells death. Optic nerve head astrocytes (ONHAs) are the primary cell type in the optic nerve head, where they provide both structural and nutrient support to the optic nerve. Activation of ONHAs, also referred to reactive astrocytosis or astrogliosis, represents the underlying physiological mechanism of optic nerve head remodeling. 

Targeting reactive astrocytosis (glioprotection) has recently gained a strong interest in the development of novel pharmaceutical strategies for glaucoma that can supplement IOP-lowering agents. 

Experimentica Ltd. offers a validated and standardized screening method for glioprotective drug candidates using primary adult rat ONHAs. 

Species Rats (Brown Norway) 
In vitro insult Oxidative stress (tert-butylhydroperoxide, tBHP) 
Format 96-well plate, tBHP dose response, 8 replicates per concentration 
Read-outs Cell viability assays (e.g. MTT, lactate dehydrogenase) 

Outcomes and Read-Outs 

Imaging

Representative examples from primary rat ONHAs 

Fig. 1. Validated culture of primary adult ONHAs.
Fig. 1. Validated culture of primary adult ONHAs. We use the validated cultures of primary rat adult ONHAs (Kaja et al., 2015) to screen glioprotective drug candidates. ONHAs express the astrocyte markers S100b, EAAT1 and GFAP. 
Fig. 2. Cell viability assays.
Fig. 2. Cell viability assays. Dose-response curve for tBHP using MTT and LDH assays and effect by the prototypic antioxidant Trolox, serving as positive control. Data are shown as mean ± s.e.m. from five separate plates and were analyzed using ANOVA (P < 0.001). # P < 0.01, $ P < 0.001 based on a Bonferroni post-hoc test compared to the control condition (0 mM tBHP). 

Authors' picture