Modeling of RGC loss in C1qa -/- and C1qa +/+ congenic male (A) and female (B) mouse eyes.

<p>Absence of C1qa decreases the rate of RGC loss in male animals, resulting in a significant difference at 9–10 months of age and a smaller difference later in the course of the disease. A similar effect is not observed in females as increased IOP in C1qa -/- animals shifts RGC loss to earlier time-points, making RGC differences only detectable at 11–13 months of age. Dashed line indicates the theoretically expected RGC loss in C1qa +/+ mouse eyes if they had IOP elevation similar to the levels observed in C1qa -/- mice. Dotted line indicates the theoretically expected RGC loss in C1qa -/- mouse eyes if they had IOPs similar to their C1qa +/+ littermates.