Cholesterol homeostasis and retinal stress in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Purpose: Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is characterized by acute stress of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). Cholesterol-24S-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) is specifically expressed in RGC where it may exert neuroprotective properties by preventing from cholesterol accumulation via catalyzing the formation of 24S-hydroxycholesterol. Previous findings hypothesize the housekeeping importance of CYP46A1 in the maintenance of cholesterol in the retina. In order to better understand the role of CYP46A1 in the retina, we aimed to define whether CYP46A1 expression and 24S-hydroxycholesterol levels were modified during RGC stress in AION.Methods: Ninety nine male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized …