TARGETING NMDA RECEPTOR-MEDIATED GLUTAMATE RELEASE TO PREVENT RETINAL GANGLION CELL DEGENERATION IN GLAUCOMA

Abstract

This study investigates the role of JNK2/STX1a signaling in two mouse models of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) stress: (1) NMDA-induced excitotoxicity and (2) the microbead occlusion model of ocular hypertension. A novel, cell-permeable peptide (JGRi1) was developed specifically to block JNK2/STX1a interaction, which regulates presynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated glutamate release. The peptide was delivered via topical eye drops in adult C57BL/6J mice, in order to assess its potential neuroprotective effects and therapeutic relevance in the context of glaucoma.