Impaired regulatory T cell mediated immune tolerance promotes neurodegeneration in glaucoma

The research examined the role of the immune system in glaucoma, a chronic neurodegenerative disease. Scientists found that immune cells from glaucoma patients cause loss of retinal ganglion cells, which was also demonstrated in experimental mice without changes in intraocular pressure. Analysis of the immune system revealed dysfunction in regulatory T cells, which showed reduced activation and impaired ability to suppress inflammation. When researchers transiently expanded regulatory T cells in an experimental glaucoma model, they preserved vision, reduced optic nerve axonal degeneration, and limited retinal ganglion cell loss. The results suggest that impaired immune tolerance is a cause of neurodegeneration in glaucoma and that restoring it can mitigate nerve damage. The study indicates that immunoregulatory therapies could complement conventional intraocular pressure-lowering treatments.