Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in all parts of the eye, from maintaining clarity and hydration of the cornea and vitreous to regulating angiogenesis, intraocular pressure maintenance, and vascular signaling. This review focuses on the interactions of the ECM for homeostasis of normal physiologic functions of the cornea, vitreous, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch’s membrane, and choroid as well as trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, conjunctiva and tenon’s layer as it relates to glaucoma. A variety of pathways and key factors related to ECM in the eye are discussed, including but not limited to those related to transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic-fibroblastic growth factor, connective tissue growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases (including MMP-2 and MMP-9, and MMP-14), collagen IV, fibronectin, elastin, canonical signaling, integrins, and endothelial morphogenesis consistent of cellular activation-tubulogenesis and cellular differentiation-stabilization. Alterations contributing to disease states such as wound healing, diabetes-related complications, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, angiogenesis, fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and posteriorly inserted vitreous base are also reviewed.
Highlights
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential and major component of the ocular microenvironment
The first portion of this manuscript is a review loosely organized from the front to the back of the eye, starting with the cornea, addressing parts of the eye involved in intraocular pressure maintenance and glaucoma, vitreous, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch’s membrane, and choroid
Each section describes how ECM components are involved in homeostasis and details its alterations resulting in disease states such as wound healing, diabetes-related complications, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, angiogenesis, fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, retinal detachment, and posteriorly inserted vitreous base
Summary
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential and major component of the ocular microenvironment. It forms a complex but organized meshwork surrounding cells and confers cellular structural and mechanical support, and regulates cellular homeostasis and signaling [1]. The first portion of this manuscript is a review loosely organized from the front to the back of the eye, starting with the cornea, addressing parts of the eye involved in intraocular pressure maintenance and glaucoma (i.e., trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, conjunctiva and tenon’s layer), vitreous, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch’s membrane, and choroid. Each section describes how ECM components are involved in homeostasis and details its alterations resulting in disease states such as wound healing, diabetes-related complications, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, angiogenesis, fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, retinal detachment, and posteriorly inserted vitreous base
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