title: Future possibilities in glaucoma therapy.
abstract: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing irreversible optic nerve damage. This review presents 4 elements of future glaucoma treatment strategies: baroprotection, vasoprotection, neuroprotection and gene therapy. New baroprotection includes compounds that alter the actin cytoskeleton (rho-kinase inhibitors, latrunculin, cytochalasin), new drugs that enhance aqueous outflow via the trabecular meshwork (statins, steroid antagonists) and via the uveoscleral route (EP2 agonists, 5-HT2 agonists), as well as new classes of components that suppress aqueous humor formation (cannabinoids). Vasoprotection includes blocking reperfusion injury (NOS-2 inhibitors, endothelin blockers, MMP-9 inhibitors). Concerning neuroprotection antiamyloids antibodies, erythropoietin and caspase inhibitors are discussed. Gene therapy may target various effectors: the trabecular meshwork (cytoskeleton regulatory proteins, miocyllin, MMPs), the ciliary body epithelium (genes modifying aqueous humor production, neuropeptides), the ciliary body cells (MMPs, genes of local PGs biosynthesis, ciliary muscle relaxants), the retinal ganglion cells (neurotrophin genes, anti-apoptotic genes), Müller cells (neurotrophins, GLAST) and conjunctiva (gene of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, inhibitor p21). Experimental studies on the graft mesenchymal stem cells and mature retinal cells to replace the dead retinal ganglion cells are advanced. Immunotherapy, offering a vaccination, providing protection against loss of retinal ganglion cells, has been investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Institute, Warsaw, Poland. joanna.wierzbowska@gmail.com
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wierzbowska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robaszkiewicz
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figurska
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stankiewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011465:Prostaglandins, Synthetic