Endothelial cells (ECs) play a role in the optimal function of blood vessels. When endothelial function becomes dysregulated, the risk of developing atherosclerosis increases. Specifically, upregulation of adhesion molecule expression on ECs promotes the movement of leukocytes, particularly monocytes, into the vessel wall. Here, monocytes differentiate into macrophages and may become foam cells, contributing to the initiation and progression of an atherosclerotic plaque. The ability of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to influence the expression of adhesion molecules by ECs and to modulate leukocyte-endothelial adhesion has been studied in cell culture using various types of ECs, in animal feeding studies and in human trials; the latter have tended to evaluate soluble forms of adhesion molecules that circulate in the bloodstream. These studies indicate that n-3 PUFAs (both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) can decrease the expression of key adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, by ECs and that this results in decreased adhesive interactions between leukocytes and ECs. These findings suggest that n-3 PUFAs may lower leukocyte infiltration into the vascular wall, which could contribute to reduced atherosclerosis and lowered risk of cardiovascular disease.
Genetic rodent models are widely used in glaucoma related research. With vast amount of information revealed by human studies about genetic correlations with glaucoma, use of these models is relevant and required. In this review, we discuss the glaucoma endophenotypes and importance of their representation in an experimental animal model. Mice and rats are the most popular animal species used as genetic models due to ease of genetic manipulations in these animal species as well as the availability of their genomic information. With technological advances, induction of glaucoma related genetic mutations commonly observed in human is possible to achieve in rodents in a desirable manner. This approach helps to study the pathobiology of the disease process with the background of genetic abnormalities, reveals potential therapeutic targets and gives an opportunity to test newer therapeutic options. Various genetic manipulation leading to appearance of human relevant endophenotypes in rodents indicate their relevance in glaucoma pathology and the utility of these rodent models for exploring various aspects of the disease related to targeted mutation. The molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma leading to elevated intraocular pressure and the disease hallmark, apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve degeneration, have been extensively explored in genetic rodent models. In this review, we discuss the consequences of various genetic manipulations based on the primary site of pathology in the anterior or the posterior segment. We discuss how these genetic manipulations produce features in rodents that can be considered a close representation of disease phenotype in human. We also highlight several molecular mechanisms revealed by using genetic rodent models of glaucoma including those involved in increased aqueous outflow resistance, loss of retinal ganglion cells and optic neuropathy. Lastly, we discuss the limitations of the use of genetic rodent models in glaucoma related research.