Retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection by an angiotensin II blocker in an ex vivo retinal explant model

Purpose:An ex vivo organotypic retinal explant model was developed to examine retinal survival mechanisms relevant to glaucoma mediated by the renin angiotensin system in the rodent eye. Methods:Eyes from adult Sprague Dawley rats were enucleated immediately post-mortem and used to make four retinal explants per eye. Explants were treated either with irbesartan (10 µM), vehicle or angiotensin II (2 μM) for four days. Retinal ganglion cell...