ABSTRACT
Optic nerve is a part of the central nerve system,therefore,it can not regenerate after injury.In recent years,more attentions have been focused on optic nerve regeneration research.The primary pathological basis of optic nerve injury is loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and irreversible visual dysfunction.A certain number of RGCs survival and/or rescue allow the recovery of visual function.So gene therapy for optic nerve regeneration becomes a hotspot in recent years.Genetic therapy alters the expression of DNA or RNA in the target cells and thus achieves the purpose of treating disease.Whether genetic therapeutic is successful or not depends on the characteristics of gene vectors,tissue microenvironment and transfection technology.This review summarized recent studies and aimed at a better understanding to gene therapy vectors and methods in rescuing optic nerve injury.