Alpha B-crystallin improved survival of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of acute ocular hypertension

Increased endogenous αB-crystallin protein levels have been shown to reduce cell apoptosis, although the effects of exogenous αB-crystallin protein remain poorly understood. The present study established an acute ocular hypertension model in the right eye of Sprague-Dawley rats. Fluorogold retrograde tracing and immunofluorescence methods showed that the number of retinal ganglion cells decreased in the right eyes and caspase-3 expression increased following acute ocular hypertension. Intravitreal injection of αB-crystallin in the right eye increased the number of retinal ganglion cells and reduced caspase-3 expression. Results demonstrated that exogenous αB-crystallin protein inhibited caspase-3 expression and improved retinal ganglion cell survival following acute ocular hypertension.