Involvement of the CD200 receptor complex in microglia activation in experimental glaucoma

The interaction of the myeloid restricted molecule CD200R with its widely expressed ligand CD200 is involved in the down-regulation of microglia activation. In the present study, we examined the involvement of CD200R in microglia activation in experimental ocular hypertension to determine the role of microglia activation in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, the key pathological event in glaucoma. Experimental glaucoma was induced in adult Brown Norway rats by sclerosis of the episcleral veins with the injection of hypertonic saline. Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine the involvement of microglia using GFAP, CD45, OX42 and OX41 and the involvement of CD200 and CD200R in the optic nerve head. Our data demonstrate the increased presence of microglia within the optic nerve head during ocular hypertension, identified by positive staining with OX42 and OX41. The peak of microglia correlates with peak in RGC death at days 20-27 (T3) post OHT induction. In addition, CD200 and CD200R positive cells were increased in ocular hypertensive eyes. Increased expression of CD200 was detected in the early phase (days 1-7; T1) of OHT and decreased over time, whilst the expression of CD200R was detected in the middle phase (days 20-27; T3) of OHT, correlating with the increase in microglia markers. Changes in the expression of CD200R/CD200 occur early in experimental glaucoma and precede the peak in microglia infiltration and RGC death, suggesting that CD200R-positive microglia play an important role in the initiation of RGC death during OHT, indicating a potential area for therapeutic intervention in treating glaucoma.

► CD200R is expressed on myeloid cells and is a marker of microglia activation. ► CD200R labelling increased in the optic nerve in experimental glaucoma, preceding the peak in retinal ganglion cell loss. ► Microglia activation may play a role in the initiation of RGC loss in experimental glaucoma.