Microglial‐induced Müller cell gliosis is attenuated by progesterone in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa

Abstract Norgestrel, a progesterone analogue, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Neuroprotection is achieved in part through Norgestrels anti‐inflammatory properties, alleviating detrimental microglial activity. Gliosis is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases of the retina, including retinitis pigmentosa. Müller glia, a type of macroglia found in the retina, are major contributors of gliosis, characterized by the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Microglia‐Müller glia crosstalk has been implicated in the initiation of gliosis. In the rd10 retina, increased microglial activity and gliotic events are observed prior to the onset of photoreceptor loss. We hypothesized that Norgestrels dampening effects on harmful microglial activity would consequently impact on gliosis. In the current study, we explore the role of microglia‐Müller glia crosstalk in degeneration and Norgestrel‐mediated neuroprotection in the rd10 retina. Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the rd10 retina coincide with significant decreases in both microglial activity and Müller cell gliosis. Using a Müller glial cell line, rMC‐1, and isolated microglia, we show that rd10 microglia stimulate GFAP production in rMC‐1 cells. Norgestrel attenuates gliosis through direct actions on both microglia and Müller glia. Norgestrel reduces the release of harmful stimuli from microglia, such as interferon‐γ, which might otherwise signal to Müller glia and stimulate gliosis. We propose that Norgestrel also targets Müller cell gliosis directly, by limiting the availability of pSTAT3, a known transcription factor for GFAP. These findings highlight an important aspect to Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the diseased retina, in combating Müller cell gliosis.