Here, we report that Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (Shp2) undergoes activation in the RGCs, in animal model of glaucoma as well as in the human glaucoma tissues and that Shp2 dephosphorylates tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, leading to reduced BDNF/TrkB neuroprotective survival signaling.
These findings suggest a pathway in the pathophysiology of glaucoma through loss of neurotrophic function and may eventually open the possibility of using ligands activating TrkB to prevent the progression of the disease.