Figure 5.

Neuroprotective effects of MSC-EV treatment on RGCs in the COH rat retina.

(A) Representative fluorescence micrographs of flat-mounted retinas depicting the fluorogold-labeled RGCs in normal and COH eyes in the absence or presence of MSC-EV treatment. The panels labeled as 2, 3, and 4 mm correspond to the respective quadrant areas radially distant to the optic nerve. Significant RGC loss was noticed in the retina of COH rats when compared with that of the controls. With MSC-EV treatment, RGC loss was prevented. Scale bar: 50 μm. (B) Quantitation of number of labeled RGCs. The RGCs were counted in 12 microscopic fields under 40× magnification. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD (n = 3/group). ***P < 0.001 (one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc tests). COH: Chronic ocular hypertension; EV: extracellular vesicle; MSC: mesenchymal stem cell; RGC: retinal ganglion cell.