Selective vulnerability of αOFF retinal ganglion cells during onset of autoimmune optic neuritis.

•Autoimmune optic neuritis is accompanied by degeneration of RGCs.•Alpha RGC susceptibility to degeneration was assessed in a rodent model of AON.•Alpha OFF RGCs have altered structural and functional properties early in the disease.•RGC subtypes are differentially susceptible to neuroinflammatory processes.