Cultures Of Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Research Articles

Paeoniflorin alleviates TGF-β2-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling and oxidative stress in human trabecular meshwork cells.

The multifunctional profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) is implicated in the pathophysiology of primary open angle glaucoma. Paeoniflorin (PAE) is a monoterpene glycoside with multiple pharmacological efficacies, such as antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have demonstrated that paeoniflorin protects human corneal epithelial cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and retinal microglia from damage. Here, the biological role of PAE in TGF-β2-dependent remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the trabecular meshwork (TM) microenvironment. Primary or transformed (GTM3) human TM (HTM) cells conditioned in serum-free media were incubated with TGF-β2 (5ng/mL). PAE (300μM) was added to serum-starved confluent cultures of HTM cells for 2h, followed by incubation with TGF-β2 for 22h. SB-431542, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor (10μM), was used as a positive control. The levels of intracellular ROS were evaluated by CellROX green dye. Western blotting was used to measure the levels of TGF-β2/Smad2/3 signaling-related molecules. Collagen 1α1, collagen 4α1, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to measure collagen I/IV expression in HTM cells. Phalloidin staining assay was conducted for evaluating F-actin stress fiber formation in the cells. PAE attenuated TGF-β2-induced oxidative stress and suppressed TGF-β2-induced Smad2/3 signaling in primary or transformed HTM cells. Additionally, PAE repressed TGF-β2-induced upregulation of collagen 1α1, collagen 4α1, and CTGF expression and reduced TGF-β2-mediated collagen I/IV expression and of F-actin stress fiber formation in primary or transformed HTM cells. PAE alleviates TGF-β2-induced ECM deposition and oxidative stress in HTM cells through inactivation of Smad2/3 signaling.

Differential Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride on Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells Not Treated or Treated with Transforming Growth Factor-β2 or Dexamethasone.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) (10-7%, 10-6%, or 10-5%) on healthy and glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. For this purpose, we used in vitro models replicating a healthy HTM and HTM with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or steroid-induced glaucoma (SG) using two-dimensional (2D) cultures of HTM cells not treated or treated with a 5 ng/mL solution of transforming growth factor-β2 or 250 nM dexamethasone (DEX). Methods: Analyses were carried out for (1) the intercellular affinity function of 2D HTM monolayers, as determined by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements; (2) cell viability; (3) cellular metabolism by using a Seahorse bioanalyzer; and (4) expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, an ECM modulator, and cell junction-related molecules. Results: In the absence and presence of BAC (10-7% or 10-5%), intercellular affinity function determined by TEER and cellular metabolic activities were significantly and dose dependently affected in both healthy and glaucomatous HTM cells despite the fact that there was no significant decrease in cell viabilities. However, the effects based on TEER values were significantly greater in the healthy HTM. The mRNA expression of several molecules that were tested was not substantially modulated by these concentrations of BAC. Conclusions: The findings reported herein suggest that low concentrations of BAC may have unfavorable adverse effects on cellular metabolic capacity by inducing increases in the intercellular affinity properties of the HTM, but those effects of BAC were different in healthy and glaucomatous HTM cells.

Small RNA Sequencing Reveals a Distinct MicroRNA Signature between Glucocorticoid Responder and Glucocorticoid Non-Responder Primary Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells after Dexamethasone Treatment.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to regulate several physiological processes and are the mainstay in the management of inflammatory eye diseases. The long-term use of GC causes raised intraocular pressure (IOP) or ocular hypertension (OHT) in about 30-50% of the susceptible individuals depending on the route of administration, and can lead to steroid-induced secondary glaucoma. The present study aims to understand the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in differential glucocorticoid (GC) responsiveness in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells using small RNA sequencing. The human organ-cultured anterior segment (HOCAS) model was used to identify whether donor eyes were from GC-responders (GC-R; n = 4) or GC-non-responders (GC-NR; n = 4) following treatment with either 100 nM dexamethasone (DEX) or ethanol (ETH) for 7 days. The total RNA was extracted from cultured HTM cells with known GC responsiveness, and the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIRs) were compared among the following five groups: Group #1: ETH vs. DEX-treated GC-R; #2: ETH vs. DEX-treated GC-NR; #3: overlapping DEGs between Group #1 and #2; #4: Unique DEMIRs of GC-R; #5: Unique DEMIRs of GC-NR; and validated by RT-qPCR. There were 13 and 21 DEMIRs identified in Group #1 and Group #2, respectively. Seven miRNAs were common miRNAs dysregulated in both GC-R and GC-NR (Group #3). This analysis allowed the identification of DEMIRs that were unique to GC-R (6 miRNAs) and GC-NR (14 miRNAs) HTM cells, respectively. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified enriched pathways and biological processes associated with differential GC responsiveness in HTM cells. This is the first study to reveal a unique miRNA signature between GC-R and GC-NR HTM cells, which raises the possibility of developing new molecular targets for the management of steroid-OHT/glaucoma.

All-trans Retinoic Acids Synergistically and Beneficially Affect In Vitro Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork (TM) Models Using 2D and 3D Cell Cultures of Human TM Cells

We report herein on the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells that were treated with transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2). In the presence of 5 ng/mL TGF-β2, the effects of ATRA on the following were observed: (1) the barrier function of the 2D HTM monolayers, as determined by trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextran permeability measurements; (2) a Seahorse cellular bio-metabolism analysis; (3) physical properties, including the size and stiffness, of 3D spheroids; (4) the gene expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, ECM modulators including tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tight junction (TJ)-related molecules, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress-related factors. ATRA significantly inhibited the TGF-β2-induced increase in the TEER values and FITC dextran permeability of the 2D monolayers, while an ATRA monotreatment induced similar effects as TGF-β2. A real-time metabolic analysis revealed that ATRA significantly inhibited the TGF-β2-induced shift in metabolic reserve from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in 2D HTM cells, whereas ATRA alone did not induce significant metabolic changes. In contrast, ATRA induced the formation of substantially downsized and softer 3D spheroids in the absence and presence of TGF-β2. The different effects induced by ATRA toward 2D and 3D HTM cells were also supported by the qPCR analysis of several proteins as above. The findings reported here indicate that ATRA may induce synergistic and beneficial effects on TGF-β2-treated 2D- and 3D-cultured HTM cells; those effects varied significantly between the 2D and 3D cultures.

An α2-Adrenergic Agonist, Brimonidine, Beneficially Affects the TGF-β2-Treated Cellular Properties in an In Vitro Culture Model.

We report herein on the effects of brimonidine (BRI), an α2-adrenergic agonist, on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell-cultured TGF-β2-untreated and -treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. In the presence of TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL), (1) the effects of BRI on (1) the 2D HTM monolayers’ barrier function were investigated as estimated using trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and FITC dextran permeability; (2) real-time analyses of cellular metabolism using a Seahorse Bioanalyzer; (3) the largeness and hardness of 3D spheroids; and (4) the expression of genes that encode extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagens (COL) 1, 4, and 6; fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA); ECM modulators, including a tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinase (TIMP) 1–4; matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, 9, and 14; and several endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes, including the X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1), the spliced XBP1 (sXBP1), glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, GRP94, and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). BRI markedly inhibited the TGF-β2-induced increase in the values of TEER of the 2D cell monolayer and the hardness of the 3D spheroids, although it had no effect on their sizes. BRI also cancelled the TGF-β2-induced reduction in mitochondrial maximal respiration but had no effect on the glycolytic capacity. In addition, the gene expression of these molecules was quite different between the 2D and 3D cultures of HTM cells. The present observations found in this study indicate that BRI may beneficially affect TGF-β2-induced changes in both cultures, 2D and 3D, of HTM cells, although their structural and functional properties that were altered varied significantly between both cultures of HTM cells.

Effect of SPARC Suppression in Mice, Perfused Human Anterior Segments, and Trabecular Meshwork Cells

PurposeSecreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) elevates intraocular pressure (IOP), increases certain structural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork (JCT), and decreases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) protein levels in trabecular meshwork (TM) endothelial cells. We investigated SPARC as a potential target for lowering IOP. We hypothesized that suppressing SPARC will decrease IOP, decrease structural JCT ECM proteins, and alter the levels of MMPs and/or their inhibitors.MethodsA lentivirus containing short hairpin RNA of human SPARC suppressed SPARC in mouse eyes and perfused cadaveric human anterior segments with subsequent IOP measurements. Immunohistochemistry determined structural correlates. Human TM cell cultures were treated with SPARC suppressing lentivirus. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunoblotting, and zymography determined total RNA, relative protein levels, and MMP enzymatic activity, respectively.ResultsSuppressing SPARC decreased IOP in mouse eyes and perfused human anterior segments by approximately 20%. Histologically, this correlated to a decrease in collagen I, IV, and VI in both the mouse TM and human JCT regions; in the mouse, fibronectin was also decreased but not in the human. In TM cells, collagen I and IV, fibronectin, MMP-2, and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 were decreased. Messenger RNA of the aforementioned genes was not changed. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) was upregulated in vitro by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting. MMP-1 activity was reduced in vitro by zymography.ConclusionsSuppressing SPARC decreased IOP in mice and perfused cadaveric human anterior segments corresponding to qualitative structural changes in the JCT ECM, which do not appear to be the result of transcription regulation.

Human Trabecular Meshwork (HTM) Cells Treated with TGF-β2 or Dexamethasone Respond to Compression Stress in Different Manners

To characterize our recently established in vitro glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (HTM) models using dexamethasone (DEX)- or TGF-β2-treated HTM cells, (1) two-dimensional (2D) cultured HTM cells were characterized by means of the real-time cellular metabolism analysis using a Seahorse analyzer, and (2) the effects of mechanical compression stresses toward the three-dimensional (3D) HTM spheroids were evaluated by analyzing the gene expression of several ECM proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and ER stress-related factors of those 3D HTM spheroid models. The results indicated that (1) the real-time cellular metabolism analysis indicated that TGF-β2 significantly induced an energy shift from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) into glycolysis, and DEX induced similar but lesser effects. In contrast, ROCK2 inhibition by KD025 caused a substantial reverse energy shift from glycolysis into OXPHOS. (2) Upon direct compression stresses toward the untreated control 3D HTM spheroids, a bimodal fluctuation of the mRNA expressions of ECM proteins was observed for 60 min, that is, initial significant upregulation (0–10 min) and subsequent downregulation (10–30 min) followed by another upregulation (30–60 min); those of inflammatory cytokines and ER stress-related factors were also bimodally changed. However, such compression stresses for 30 min toward TGF-β2- or DEX-treated 3D HTM spheroids induced downregulation of most of those of inflammatory cytokines and ER stress-related factors in addition to upregulation of COL1 and downregulation of FN. The findings presented herein indicate that (1) OXPHOS of the HTM cells was decreased or increased by TGF-β2 or DEX stimulation or ROCK2 inhibition, and (2) mechanical compression stresses toward 3D HTM spheroids may replicate acute, subacute, and chronic HTM models affected by elevated intraocular pressures.

A Comparative Genome-Wide Transcriptome Analysis of Glucocorticoid Responder and Non-Responder Primary Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells.

Aim: To investigate genes and pathways involved in differential glucocorticoid (GC) responsiveness in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells using RNA sequencing. Methods: Using paired human donor eyes, human organ-cultured anterior segment (HOCAS) was established in one eye to characterize GC responsiveness based on intra ocular pressure (IOP) change and, in the other eye, primary HTM cell culture was established. For RNA sequencing, total RNA extracted from GC-responder (GC-R) and non-responder (GC-NR) cells after dexamethasone (DEX) or ethanol (ETH) treatment for 7d was used. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were compared among five groups and validated. Results: In total, 616 and 216 genes were identified as significantly dysregulated in Group #1 and #2 (#1: ETH vs. DEX-treated GC-R; #2: ETH vs. DEX-treated GC-NR), respectively. Around 80 genes were commonly dysregulated in Group #3 (overlapping DEGs between #1 and #2), whereas 536 and 136 genes were uniquely expressed in GC-R (#4) and GC-NR HTM (#5) cells, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that WNT signaling, drug metabolism cytochrome p450, cell adhesion, TGF-β signaling, and MAPK signaling were associated with GC responsiveness. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting distinct gene signatures and their associated pathways for GC-R and GC-NR HTM cells. WNT and MAPK signaling are potential therapeutic targets for the management of GC-induced glaucoma.

Atorvastatin reduces IOP in ocular hypertension in vivo and suppresses ECM in trabecular meshwork perhaps via FGD4

To explore the role of atorvastatin in regulating intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma in vivo, and to investigate its related molecular pathway in vitro, an ocular hypertension model was generated by intravitreal injection of an adenoviral vector encoding transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 in the right eye of BALB/cJ mice, while the left was treated with an empty control adenovirus. To determine its anti-intraocular hypertension role, these induced hyper-IOP mice were gavaged with atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). Furthermore, extracellular matrix (ECM) factors were examined in the primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells followed atorvastatin (0~200 µM) treatment in vitro. Whole genome microarray was employed to identify potential therapeutic target molecules associated with ECM regulation. Unilateral murine ocular hypertension was induced, via intravitreal injection of the adenoviral vector carrying the human TGF-β2 gene (Ad.hTGF-β2226/228), raising IOP from 12±1.6 to 32.3±0.7 mmHg (n=6, P<0.05) at day 15, which plateaued from day 15 to 30. Atorvastatin administration from day 15 to 30 decreased IOP from 32.3±0.7 to 15.4±1.1 mmHg (n=6, P<0.05) at day 30. Additionally, atorvastatin administration changed the morphology of cultured HTM cells from an elongated and adherent morphology into rounded, less elongated and less adherent cells, accompanied with suppressed expression of ECM. Gene Ontology and Genome analysis revealed that FGD4 (FYVE, RhoGEF and PH domain containing 4) might be a key factor contributing to these changes. Our data demonstrated that atorvastatin reduced TGF-β2-induced ocular hypertension in vivo, perhaps via modifying cellular structure and decreasing ECM, using the FGD4 signaling pathway, as demonstrated in HTM cells. Our findings provide some useful information for the management of glaucoma, with statin therapy revealing a potential novel therapeutic pathway for glaucoma treatment.

Autotaxin May Have Lysophosphatidic Acid-Unrelated Effects on Three-Dimension (3D) Cultured Human Trabecular Meshwork (HTM) Cells.

Purpose: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of the autotaxin (ATX)–lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling axis on the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of HTM cells. Methods: The effects were characterized by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC-dextran permeability (2D), measurements of size and stiffness (3D), and the expression of several genes, including extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, their modulators, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related factors. Results: A one-day exposure to 200 nM LPA induced significant down-sizing effects of the 3D HTM spheroids, and these effects were enhanced slightly on longer exposure. The TEER and FITC-dextran permeability data indicate that LPA induced an increase in the barrier function of the 2D HTM monolayers. A one-day exposure to a 2 mg/L solution of ATX also resulted in a significant decrease in the sizes of the 3D HTM spheroids, and an increase in stiffness was also observed. The gene expression of several ECMs, their regulators and ER-stress related factors by the 3D HTM spheroids were altered by both ATX and LPA, but in different manners. Conclusions: The findings presented herein suggest that ATX may have additional roles in the human TM, in addition to the ATX–LPA signaling axis.

Switch to Autophagy the Key Mechanism for Trabecular Meshwork Death in Severe Glaucoma.

PurposeThe key differences in cell death mechanisms in the trabecular meshwork (TM) in adult moderate and severe primary glaucoma remain still unanswered. This study explored key differences in cell death mechanisms in the trabecular meshwork (TM) in adult moderate and severe primary glaucoma.DesignIn-vitro laboratory study on surgical specimens and primary cell lines.MethodsSelect cell death-related proteins differentially expressed on mass spectrometric analysis in ex-vivo dissected TM specimens patients with severe adult primary open-angle (POAG) or angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) compared to controls (cadaver donor cornea) were validated for temporal changes in cell death-related gene expression on in-vitro primary human TM cell culture after 48 hours (moderate) or 72 hours (severe) oxidative stress with H2O2 (400–1000 uM concentration). These were compared with histone modifications after oxidative stress in human TM (HTM) culture and peripheral blood of patients with moderate and severe glaucoma.ResultsAutophagy-related proteins seemed to be the predominant cell-death mechanism over apoptosis in ex-vivo dissected TM specimens in severe glaucoma. Analyzing HTM cell gene expression at 48 hours and 72 hours of oxidative stress, autophagy genes were up-regulated at 48–72 hours of exposure in contrast to apoptosis-related genes, showing down-regulation at 72 hours. There was associated increased expression of H3K14ac in HTM after 72 hours of oxidative stress and in peripheral blood of severe POAG and PACG.ConclusionA preference of autophagy over apoptosis may underlie stage transition from moderate to severe glaucoma in the trabecular meshwork or peripheral blood, which may be tightly regulated by epigenetic modulators.

Osthole Reduces Mouse IOP Associated With Ameliorating Extracellular Matrix Expression of Trabecular Meshwork Cell.

PurposeElevation of IOP in POAG is thought to involve excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the trabecular meshwork (TM), leading to an increase in outflow resistance of the aqueous humor. Osthole, a coumarin derivative extracted from the fruit of a variety of plants, such as Cnidium monnieri, is reported to prevent profibrotic responses by inhibiting Smad signaling pathway activated by TGF-β in liver, kidney, and cardiac tissues. We tested if osthole can (1) inhibit TGF-β2–induced extracellular matrix expression in cultured human TM (HTM) cells, and (2) lower TGF-β2–induced ocular hypertension in the mouse.MethodsCultured HTM cells were treated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β2 for 48 hours, then with osthole for 24 hours. The expressions of fibronectin, collagen type IV, and laminin were assessed by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. BALB/cJ mice were injected intravitreally with an adenoviral vector encoding a bioactive mutant of TGF-β2 (Ad.hTGF-β2226/228) in one eye to induce ocular hypertension, with the uninjected contralateral or Ad.Empty-injected eye serving as controls. Mice were then treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg osthole. Conscious mouse IOP values were measured using a TonoLab rebound tonometer.ResultsIn cultured HTM cells, stimulation with TGF-β2 increased expressions of fibronectin, collagen IV, and laminin. These in vitro changes were significantly and completely mitigated by osthole (10 µM). Daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg osthole, starting either at day 0 (same day as Ad.hTGF-β2226/228 injection) or at day 14, significantly decreased TGF-β2–induced ocular hypertension in the mouse. In contrast, osthole did not affect IOP of control eyes.ConclusionsThese results demonstrated that osthole is capable of reducing TGF-β2–induced extracellular matrix expression in cultured HTM cells. It also reduced TGF-β2–induced ocular hypertension in the mouse. These findings indicate that this natural product may be useful as a novel treatment for POAG.

Generating cell-derived matrices from human trabecular meshwork cell cultures for mechanistic studies.

Ocular hypertension has been attributed to increased resistance to aqueous outflow often as a result of changes in trabecular meshwork (TM) extracellular matrix (ECM) using in vivo animal models (for example, by genetic manipulation) and ex vivo anterior segment perfusion organ cultures. These are, however, complex and difficult in dissecting molecular mechanisms and interactions. In vitro approaches to mimic the underlying substrate exist by manipulating either ECM topography, mechanics, or chemistry. These models best investigate the role of individual ECM protein(s) and/or substrate property, and thus do not recapitulate the multifactorial extracellular microenvironment; hence, mitigating its physiological relevance for mechanistic studies. Cell-derived matrices (CDMs), however, are capable of presenting a 3D-microenvironment rich in topography, chemistry, and whose mechanics can be tuned to better represent the network of native ECM constituents in vivo. Critically, the composition of CDMs may also be fine-tuned by addition of small molecules or relevant bioactive factors to mimic homeostasis or pathology. Here, we first provide a streamlined protocol for generating CDMs from TM cell cultures from normal or glaucomatous donor tissues. Second, we document how TM cells can be pharmacologically manipulated to obtain glucocorticoid-induced CDMs and how generated pristine CDMs can be manipulated with reagents like genipin. Finally, we summarize how CDMs may be used in mechanistic studies and discuss their probable application in future TM regenerative studies.

Lentiviral Vector-Mediated Expression of Exoenzyme C3 Transferase Lowers Intraocular Pressure in Monkeys.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is considered a lifelong disease characterized by optic nerve deterioration and visual field damage. Although the disease progression can usually be controlled by lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP), therapeutic effects of current approaches do not last long. Gene therapy could be a promising method for persistent treatment of the disease. Our previous study demonstrated that gene transfer of exoenzyme C3 transferase (C3) to the trabecular meshwork (TM) to inhibit Rho GTPase (Rho), the upstream signal molecule of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), resulted in lowered IOP in normal rodent eyes. In the present study, we show that the lentiviral vector (LV)-mediated C3 expression inactivates RhoA in human TM cells by ADP ribosylation, resulting indisruption of the actin cytoskeleton and altered cell morphology. In addition, intracameral delivery of the C3 vector to monkey eyes leads to persistently lowered IOP without obvious signs of inflammation. This is the first report of using a vector to transduce the TM of an alive non-human primate with a gene that alters cellular machinery and physiology. Our results in non-human primates support that LV-mediated C3 expression in the TM may have therapeutic potential forglaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness in humans.

Effects of Lentivirus-Mediated C3 Expression on Trabecular Meshwork Cells and Intraocular Pressure.

PurposeWe evaluated the effects of lentivirus-mediated exoenzyme C3 transferase (C3) expression on cultured primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells in vitro, and on rat intraocular pressure (IOP).MethodsHTM cells were cultured and treated with lentivirus vectors expressing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) only (LV-GFP) or GFP and C3 together (LV-C3-GFP). Changes in cell morphology and actin stress fibers were assessed. The vectors were also injected into the anterior chamber of rats, and GFP expression was visualized by a Micron III Retinal Imaging Microscope in vivo and a fluorescence microscope ex vivo. Changes in rat IOP were monitored by using a rebound tonometer and the eyes were evaluated by slit lamp.ResultsLV-mediated C3 expression induced morphologic changes in HTM cells. The cells became retracted and rounded. GFP expression in the anterior chamber angle of rats was observed in vivo from 8 days to 48 days after injection of LV-C3-GFP or LV-GFP. IOP was significantly decreased in the LV-C3-GFP group starting 3 days post injection, and lasting for at least 40 days, when compared to either the contralateral control eyes (the LV-GFP group) or the ipsilateral baseline before injection (P < 0.05). No obvious inflammatory signs were observed in either the LV-C3-GFP or LV-GFP groups.ConclusionsLV-mediated C3 expression induced changes in morphology of cultured HTM cells. Intracameral injection of LV-C3-GFP lowered rat IOP for at least 40 days. No significant inflammatory reactions were observed in either the LV-C3-GFP or LV-GFP groups. This study supports the possible use of C3 gene therapy for the treatment of glaucoma.

LTBP2 knockdown and oxidative stress affect glaucoma features including TGFβ pathways, ECM genes expression and apoptosis in trabecular meshwork cells

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Although the etiology of glaucoma is incompletely understood, it is known that the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the trabecular meshwork, oxidative stress, TGFβ signaling pathways, and apoptosis are important components of glaucoma pathogenesis. These components appear to be interrelated, but knowledge on their interactions remains incomplete. Relevant to this gap in knowledge, LTBP2, glaucoma causing gene, may also be related to the mentioned components of glaucoma pathogenesis because of its putative roles in TGFβ signaling and ECM functions. This background prompted us to further query interactions among some molecules and pathways thought to be important in glaucoma etiology, with emphasis on oxidative stress and LTBP2. To this end, effects of LTBP2 siRNA knockdown, oxidative stress induction, TGFβ2 and gremlin exposures on canonical TGFβ and BMP signaling pathways, expression of ECM related genes, and apoptosis were assayed in primary human trabecular meshwork cell cultures. We found that oxidative stress induction and LTBP2 knockdown both affected all the processes queried, and that their affects paralleled one another. We suggest that effects of both oxidative stress and LTBP2 knockdown on the ECM and apoptosis may be mediated by TGFβ and BMP signaling pathway activation.

Crosstalk Between Transforming Growth Factor Beta-2 and Toll-Like Receptor 4 in the Trabecular Meshwork.

PurposeThe trabecular meshwork (TM) is involved in the outflow of aqueous humor and intraocular pressure (IOP) regulation. Regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by TGFβ2 signaling pathways in the TM has been extensively studied. Recent evidence has implicated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the regulation of ECM and fibrogenesis in liver, kidney, lung, and skin. Here, we investigated the role of TGFβ2–TLR4 signaling crosstalk in the regulation of the ECM in the TM and ocular hypertension.MethodsCross sections of human donor eyes, primary human TM cells in culture, and dissected mouse TM rings were used to determine Tlr4 expression in the TM. Trabecular meshwork cells in culture were treated with TGFβ2 (5 ng/mL), TLR4 inhibitor (TAK-242, 15 μM), and a TLR4 ligand (cellular fibronectin isoform [cFN]-EDA). A/J (n = 13), AKR/J (n = 7), BALBc/J (n = 8), C3H/HeJ (n = 20), and C3H/HeOuJ (n = 10) mice were injected intravitreally with adenovirus 5 (Ad5).hTGFβ2c226s/c228s in one eye, with the uninjected contralateral eye serving as a control. Conscious IOP measurements were taken using a TonoLab rebound tonometer.ResultsToll-like receptor 4 is expressed in the human and mouse TM. Inhibition of TLR4 signaling in the presence of TGFβ2 decreases fibronectin expression. Activation of TLR4 by cFN-EDA in the presence of TGFβ2 further increases fibronectin, laminin, and collagen-1 expression, and TLR4 signaling inhibition blocks this effect. Ad5.hTGFβ2c226s/c228s induces ocular hypertension in wild-type mice but has no effect in Tlr4 mutant (C3H/HeJ) mice.ConclusionsThese studies identify TGFβ2–TLR4 crosstalk as a novel pathway involved in ECM regulation in the TM and ocular hypertension. These data further explain the complex mechanisms involved in the development of glaucomatous TM damage.

Effects of dexamethasone and HA1077 on actin cytoskeleton and β-catenin in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

To investigate the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-homopiperazine (HA1077) on actin cytoskeleton and β-catenin in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. The HTM cells were separated from human eyeball and cultured in vitro. They were divided into control group, DEX (1×10-6 mol/L) group, HA1077 (3×10-5 mol/L) group, and DEX (1×10-6 mol/L) and HA1077 (3×10-5 mol/L) group. Actin cytoskeleton and β-catenin in HTM cells of the four groups were examined by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses. In DEX group, there were reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and formation of cross linked actin networks (CLANs), which were partially reversed in DEX and HA1077 group. DEX treatment also induced an increased expression of β-catenin, which was obviously reduced in DEX and HA1077 group. Meanwhile, the cultured HTM cells in HA1077 group had lower expression of β-catenin than that in the control group. Our results show that HA1077 can reverse the changes of actin organization and expression of β-catenin induced by DEX in cultured HTM cells, suggesting that HA1077 may play an important role in increasing outflow and reducing intraocular pressure.

The Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator IWP-953 Increases Conventional Outflow Facility in Mouse Eyes.

PurposeThe nitric oxide (NO)–cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway regulates aqueous humor outflow and therefore, intraocular pressure. We investigated the pharmacologic effects of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator IWP-953 on primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells and conventional outflow facility in mouse eyes.MethodsCyclic GMP levels were determined in vitro in HEK-293 cells and four HTM cell strains (HTM120/HTM123: predominantly myofibroblast-like phenotype, HTM130/HTM141: predominantly endothelial-like phenotype), and in HTM cell culture supernatants. Conventional outflow facility was measured following intracameral injection of IWP-953 or DETA-NO using a computerized pressure-controlled perfusion system in enucleated mouse eyes ex vivo.ResultsIWP-953 markedly stimulated cGMP production in HEK-293 cells in the presence and absence of DETA-NO (half maximal effective concentrations: 17 nM, 9.5 μM). Similarly, IWP-953 stimulated cGMP production in myofibroblast-like HTM120 and HTM123 cells, an effect that was greatly amplified by the presence of DETA-NO. In contrast, IWP-953 stimulation of cGMP production in endothelial-like HTM130 and HTM141 cells was observed, but was markedly less prominent than in HTM120 and HTM123 cells. Notably, cGMP was found in all HTM culture supernatants, following IWP-953/DETA-NO stimulation. In paired enucleated mouse eyes, IWP-953 at 10, 30, 60, and 100 μM concentration-dependently increased outflow facility. This effect (89.5%) was maximal at 100 μM (P = 0.002) and in magnitude comparable to DETA-NO at 100 μM (97.5% increase, P = 0.030).ConclusionsThese data indicate that IWP-953, via modulation of the sGC–cGMP pathway, increases aqueous outflow facility in mouse eyes, suggesting therapeutic potential for sGC stimulators as novel ocular hypotensive drugs.

Gene transfer to human trabecular meshwork cells in vitro and ex vivo using HIV-based lentivirus.

To investigate whether the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene could be transferred into human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells by a HIV-based lentivirus both in vitro and ex vivo. The HIV-based lentivirus that contains an EF1-α promoter driving EGFP expression cassette was constructed following the standard molecular cloning methods. The cultured HTM cells were transduced at a range of multiplicity of infection (MOI) with HIV-based lentivirus. EGFP positive cell populations were detected by flow cytometry. Human anterior eye segments were cultured with perfusion culture system and transfected by HIV-based lentivirus with a 1×10(8) transducing unit (TU) virus in perfusion liquid. The intraocular pressure was recorded every 8h for 21d. The expression of EGFP in the anterior segment of the human eye was detected by fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the distribution of EGFP expression was confirmed by anti-EGFP immunohistochemical staining. The HIV-based lentivirus which contains an EF1-α promoter driving EGFP expression cassette was constructed successfully. After HTM cells were transduced with HIV-based lentivirus containing EGFP in vitro, the ratio of EGFP positive cells to the total cell number reached 92.3%, with the MOI of 15. After the lentivirus containing EGFP were used to transduce human anterior eye segments, the EGFP could be directly detected by fluorescence microscopy in vivo. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed that 88.19% EGFP-positive trabecular meshwork (TM) cells were observed in the human anterior segment. Nevertheless, the intraocular pressure in the lentivirus-transduced group kept constant when compared with control group (P>0.05). EGFP gene could be efficiently transferred into HTM cells both in vitro and ex vivo by using HIV-based lentivirus.