Astrocytic dysfunction induced by ABCA1 deficiency causes optic neuropathy [bulkRNA-seq]

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and visual loss. Previous studies have reported that the variation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) gene is linked to a higher risk of glaucoma in humans, but the pathological mechanisms remain unknown. Here we report that ABCA1 loss, especially in astrocytes, causes optic neuropathy. ABCA1 was mainly expressed in astrocytes rather than neurons, and that knockout of Abca1 gene under GFAP promoter (Glia-KO) caused age-associated RGC degeneration and ocular dysfunction without affecting intraocular pressure, a major risk factor for glaucoma. Glia-KO mice showed age-associated changes in astrocyte reactivity accompanied by the accumulation of cholesterol, a major substrate of ABCA1. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that Abca1 deficiency causes astrocyte-triggered inflammation and increased sensitivity of RGCs against excitotoxicity. Altogether, these findings suggest that astrocytic dysfunction caused by ABCA1 loss triggers age-associated optic neuropathy-like pathology. Overall design: Comparison of expression profile of mouse retinal tissue between control and Glia-specific ABCA1 knockout