Figure 4

The size dependence of RGC loss in the pONT model is related to susceptibility to primary and secondary neurodegeneration. (Ai–Ei) PDF of RGC soma area from paired superior vs inferior retinal quadrants at each timepoint. (Aii–Eii) Difference between superior and interior PDFs from (Ai–Ei). At first, retinal neurodegeneration is comparable in both superior and inferior retinal quadrant regions. As the model progresses, however, a greater proportion of smaller RGCs are observed in the superior than inferior retina, suggestive that RGCs becoming smaller precedes primary degeneration or that larger RGCs are more susceptible to secondary degeneration. No such trend was observed in the OHT model (data not shown), most likely due to the milder, more chronic nature of this model. (F) Schematic representation of retinal regions more prone to primary vs secondary neurodegeneration in the pONT model.