title: Cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) in glaucoma.
abstract: One of the major causes of decreased vision, irreversible vision loss and blindness worldwide is glaucoma. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor associated with glaucoma and its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The trabecular meshwork (TM) is the primary site of injury in glaucoma, and its dysfunction results in elevated IOP. The glaucomatous TM has increased extracellular matrix deposition as well as cytoskeletal rearrangements referred to as cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) that consist of dome like structures consisting of hubs and spokes. CLANs are thought to play a role in increased aqueous humor outflow resistance and increased IOP by creating stiffer TM cells and tissue. CLANs are inducible by glucocorticoids (GCs) and TGFβ2 in confluent TM cells and TM tissues. The signaling pathways of these induction agents give insight into the possible mechanisms of CLAN formation, but to date, the mechanism of CLANs regulation by these pathways has yet to be determined. Understanding the role CLANs play in IOP elevation and their mechanisms of induction and regulation may lead to novel treatment options to help prevent or intervene in glaucomatous damage to the trabecular meshwork.
authors.affiliation: North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States. Electronic address: jaclyn@western-companies.com.
authors.forename: Jaclyn Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Bermudez
authors.affiliation: North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States. Electronic address: michela.montecchi-palmer@alconlabs.com.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montecchi-Palmer
authors.affiliation: North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States. Electronic address: weiming.mao@unthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Weiming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States. Electronic address: abe.clark@unthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Abbot F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins
keywords: Cross-linked actin networks; Glaucoma; Glucocorticoids; TGFβ2; Trabecular meshwork