title: Effect of excess synthesis of extracellular matrix components by trabecular meshwork cells: possible consequence on aqueous outflow.
abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the trabecular meshwork (TM) is an important determinant of its functional properties. This study was performed to investigate whether overexpression of ECM components, laminin (LM) and collagen type IV (Col) by TM cells may play a role in the development of outflow resistance. To determine the effect of excess LM and Col expression on cell monolayer permeability, an in vitro cell culture model was used in which overexpression of the two ECM components, LM and Col, was induced by high glucose (HG) (30 mM) or 0.1 microM dexamethasone (D) in bovine and human trabecular meshwork (BTM and HTM) cells. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining confirmed increased LM and Col synthesis in cells exposed to HG or D. Increased level of LM and Col protein resulted in reduced cell monolayer permeability. Transfection with antisense oligos (AS-oligos) targeted against LM or Col inhibited HG- or D-induced LM and Col gene overexpression in TM cells with concomitant increase in permeability. The AS-oligo strategy was effective in reducing LM or Col level in the TM cells in all conditions tested in this study. These findings suggest that increased LM and Col deposition in the outflow pathway may cause resistance to aqueous outflow and contribute to the development of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA. ntane@bu.edu
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tane
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhar
authors.forename: Sumon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohira
authors.forename: Sayon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020320:Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D010539:Permeability; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007797:Laminin; D020320:Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005947:Glucose