Exosomes derived from microglia exposed to elevated pressure amplify the neuroinflammatory response in retinal cells

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that causes irreversible loss of vision and is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Others and we have demonstrated that chronic neuroinflammation mediated by reactive microglial cells plays a role in glaucomatous pathology. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by most cells, including microglia, that mediate intercellular communication. The role of microglial exosomes in glaucomatous degeneration remains unknown. Taking the prominent role of microglial exosomes in brain neurodegenerative diseases, we studied the contribution of microglial‐derived exosomes to the inflammatory response in experimental glaucoma. Microglial cells were exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressure (EHP), to mimic elevated intraocular pressure, the main risk factor for glaucoma. Naïve microglia (BV‐2 cells or retinal microglia) were exposed to exosomes derived from BV‐2 cells under EHP conditions (BV‐Exo‐EHP) or cultured in control pressure (BV‐Exo‐Control). We found that BV‐Exo‐EHP increased the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, promoted retinal microglia motility, phagocytic efficiency, and proliferation. Furthermore, the incubation of primary retinal neural cell cultures with BV‐Exo‐EHP increased cell death and the production of reactive oxygen species. Exosomes derived from retinal microglia (MG‐Exo‐Control or MG‐Exo‐EHP) were injected in the vitreous of C57BL/6J mice. MG‐Exo‐EHP sustained activation of retinal microglia, mediated cell death, and impacted RGC number. Herein, we show that exosomes derived from retinal microglia have an autocrine function and propagate the inflammatory signal in conditions of elevated pressure, contributing to retinal degeneration in glaucomatous conditions. Main points Retinal microglia release exosomes. Exosomes released by microglia exposed to elevated pressure amplify the inflammatory response, enhancing microglia reactivity, oxidative stress, and causing death of retinal cells.