Effects of lighting environment on the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in glutamate/aspartate transporter deficient mice, a mouse model of normal tension glaucoma

Lighting conditions may affect the development of retinal degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration. In this study, to determine whether the lighting environment affects the progression of degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), we examined glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) heterozygous (GLAST(+/-)) mice, a mouse model of normal tension glaucoma. GLAST(+/-) mice were reared under a 12-h light-dark cycle (Light/Dark) or complete darkness (Dark/Dark) condition after birth. The total RGC number in the Dark/Dark group was significantly decreased compared with the Light/Dark group at 3 weeks old, while the number of osteopontin-positive αRGCs were similar in both groups. At 6 and 12 weeks old, the total RGC number were not significantly different in both conditions. In addition, the retinal function examined by multifocal electroretinogram were similar at 12 weeks old. These results suggest that lighting conditions may regulate the progression of RGC degeneration in some types of glaucoma.