Dexamethasone increases pigment epithelium-derived factor in perfused human eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) cDNA and secreted protein in human trabecular meshwork (TM).


METHODS
Anterior segment organ cultures were perfused with 0.1 microM DEX (OD) and vehicle (OS). Primary human TM cells (HTM) were treated with DEX under similar conditions. PEDF mRNA and secreted PEDF protein were quantitated by RT-PCR and Western blot.


RESULTS
PEDF mRNA and secreted PEDF protein levels were significantly higher in DEX over vehicle-treated cultures. In contrast, DEX decreased the activity of a 92-kDa gelatinolytic zymogen in organ culture effluents.


CONCLUSIONS
DEX action in the human TM might include a PEDF-mediating pathway.
Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Elizabeth M
EM
Perruccio
Laura Leigh S
LL
Rowlette
Nuria
N
Comes
Silvia
S
Locatelli-Hoops
Luigi
L
Notari
S Patricia
SP
Becerra
Teresa
T
Borrás
D015153:Blotting, Western; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015843:Serpins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
D003907:Dexamethasone; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor