BDNF overexpression reduced RGC and axon loss at 2 months post IOP elevation. (A) Cross sections of optic nerves stained by paraphenylenediamine from a control and a BDNF_OE mouse. (B) For control mice, the total number of axons decreased at 2 months post IOP elevation, while for BDNF_OE mice, the axon loss was not changed significantly. (C) Flat-mounted retinas immunostained by Brn-3b antibody from a control and a BDNF_OE mouse. (D) Brn-3a and Brn-3b densities were reduced post IOP elevation in control mice, while the loss of RGCs was reduced in BDNF_OE mice. Scale bars: 25 μm (A); 100 μm (inlets); 200 μm (C). *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001 in 1-way ANOVA, Tukey's posttest.