Expression of Slit2 and Robo Receptors in High Tension Glaucoma: a Rat Glaucoma Model

Purpose: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. This study investigated immunoreactive changes in Slit2 and Robo receptors in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a rodent model of acute glaucoma. Methods: An acute glaucoma model using Sprague-Dawley rats was made via weekly intracameral injections of hyaluronic acid. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured twice weekly for 4 weeks using a rebound tonometer in an experimental group of 10 rats and a control group of five rats for 4 weeks. Enucleation was performed on postoperative week 4. The trimmed retinas were processed for anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), anti-Slit2, and anti-Robo1, anti-Robo2, anti-Robo3, and anti-Robo4 immunochemical analysis. Results: The IOPs in the experimental group were approximately four times higher than IOPs in the control group. The GFAP, Slit2, and Robo4 immunoreactivity in the experimental group was higher than the corresponding values in the control group. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate immunoreactive changes in Slit2 and Robo receptors following intracameral hyaluronic acid injection, which was used to create a rat glaucoma model. Our results indicate that Slit2 and Robo4 potentially contribute to the progression of high tension glaucoma, especially in inducing ischaemic injury.