Immunomodulation by the combination of statin and matrix-bound nanovesicle enhances optic nerve regeneration

To identify a novel clinically-relevant therapy, fluvastatin and matrix bound nanovesicles (MBV) were focused in this study. We found that fluvastatin and MBV synergistically enhance optic nerve regeneration and RGC protection after optic nerve injury in mouse. To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying enhancement of RGC protection and axon regeneration after optic nerve injury, bulk RNA sequencing analysis of the whole retina treated with MBV, fluvastatin and the combination of MBV and fluvastatin or PBS as a control two days after optic nerve crush, was performed. Bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed that genes and cellular pathways related to inflammation, were robustly altered. Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of bulk RNA-seq data for the whole retinae treated with PBS (control), fluvastatin, MBV, or a combination of MBV and fluvastatin two days after optic nerve crush in mouse.