title: Inhibition of latrunculin-A on dexamethasone-induced fibronectin production in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of a low dose latrunculin (LAT)-A on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced upregulation of extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin (FN) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  HTM cells were cultured to confluent and incubated with 0.4µmol/L Dex and/or 0.05µmol/L LAT-A. FN expression in HTM cells was evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dex up-regulated FN production in HTM cells, failed to do so when co-incubated with LAT-A. LAT-A decreased production of FN in cultured HTM cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that LAT-A may modulate the expression of fibronectin in trabecular meshwork to achieve treatment for steroids and other types of glaucoma. It has an important prospect as an intraocular pressure- lowering drug.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Laboratories & Department of Ophthalmology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Ye-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: Cui-Lan
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xu-Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Su-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cai