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Fard MRB, Chan J, Read AT, Li G, Cheng L, Safa BN, Siadat SM, Jhunjhunwala A, Grossniklaus HE, Emelianov SY, Stamer WD, Kuehn MH, Ethier CR. Magnetically Steered Cell Therapy For Functional Restoration Of Intraocular Pressure Control In Open-Angle Glaucoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593917. [PMID: 38798683 PMCID: PMC11118342 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell therapy has been proposed as a next-generation treatment for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma, the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Using a magnetic cell steering technique with excellent efficiency and tissue-specific targeting, we delivered two types of cells into a mouse model of glaucoma: either human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) or induced pluripotent cell derivatives (iPSC-TM cells). We observed a 4.5 [3.1, 6.0] mmHg or 27% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) for nine months after a single dose of only 1500 magnetically-steered hAMSCs, associated with restoration of function to the conventional outflow pathway, as judged by increased outflow facility and TM cellularity. iPSC-TM cells were also effective, but less so, showing only a 1.9 [0.4, 3.3] mmHg or 13% IOP reduction and increased risk of tumorigenicity. In both cases, injected cells remained detectable in the iridocorneal angle three weeks post-transplantation. Based on the locations of the delivered cells, the mechanism of IOP lowering is most likely paracrine signaling. We conclude that magnetically-steered hAMSC cell therapy has potential for long-term treatment of ocular hypertension in glaucoma. One Sentence Summary A novel magnetic cell therapy provided effective intraocular pressure control in a mouse model of glaucoma, motivating future translational studies.
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Becker S, L'Ecuyer Z, Jones BW, Zouache MA, McDonnell FS, Vinberg F. Modeling complex age-related eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101247. [PMID: 38365085 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Modeling complex eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma poses significant challenges, since these conditions depend highly on age-related changes that occur over several decades, with many contributing factors remaining unknown. Although both diseases exhibit a relatively high heritability of >50%, a large proportion of individuals carrying AMD- or glaucoma-associated genetic risk variants will never develop these diseases. Furthermore, several environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to and modulate the pathogenesis and progression of AMD and glaucoma. Several strategies replicate the impact of genetic risk variants, pathobiological pathways and environmental and lifestyle factors in AMD and glaucoma in mice and other species. In this review we will primarily discuss the most commonly available mouse models, which have and will likely continue to improve our understanding of the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases. Uncertainties persist whether small animal models can truly recapitulate disease progression and vision loss in patients, raising doubts regarding their usefulness when testing novel gene or drug therapies. We will elaborate on concerns that relate to shorter lifespan, body size and allometries, lack of macula and a true lamina cribrosa, as well as absence and sequence disparities of certain genes and differences in their chromosomal location in mice. Since biological, rather than chronological, age likely predisposes an organism for both glaucoma and AMD, more rapidly aging organisms like small rodents may open up possibilities that will make research of these diseases more timely and financially feasible. On the other hand, due to the above-mentioned anatomical and physiological features, as well as pharmacokinetic and -dynamic differences small animal models are not ideal to study the natural progression of vision loss or the efficacy and safety of novel therapies. In this context, we will also discuss the advantages and pitfalls of alternative models that include larger species, such as non-human primates and rabbits, patient-derived retinal organoids, and human organ donor eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Becker
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zia L'Ecuyer
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bryan W Jones
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Moussa A Zouache
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Fiona S McDonnell
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Li G, van Batenburg-Sherwood J, Safa BN, Fraticelli Guzmán NS, Wilson A, Bahrani Fard MR, Choy K, de Ieso ML, Cui JS, Feola AJ, Weisz T, Kuhn M, Bowes Rickman C, Farsiu S, Ethier CR, Stamer WD. Aging and intraocular pressure homeostasis in mice. Aging Cell 2024:e14160. [PMID: 38566432 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Age and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are the two primary risk factors for glaucoma, an optic neuropathy that is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. In most people, IOP is tightly regulated over a lifetime by the conventional outflow tissues. However, the mechanistic contributions of age to conventional outflow dysregulation, elevated IOP and glaucoma are unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we studied how age affects the morphology, biomechanical properties and function of conventional outflow tissues in C57BL/6 mice, which have an outflow system similar to humans. As reported in humans, we observed that IOP in mice was maintained within a tight range over their lifespan. Remarkably, despite a constellation of age-related changes to the conventional outflow tissues that would be expected to hinder aqueous drainage and impair homeostatic function (decreased cellularity, increased pigment accumulation, increased cellular senescence and increased stiffness), outflow facility, a measure of conventional outflow tissue fluid conductivity, was stable with age. We conclude that the murine conventional outflow system has significant functional reserve in healthy eyes. However, these age-related changes, when combined with other underlying factors, such as genetic susceptibility, are expected to increase risk for ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Babak N Safa
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nina Sara Fraticelli Guzmán
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrea Wilson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mohammad Reza Bahrani Fard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kevin Choy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael L de Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Serena Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew J Feola
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Virginia Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Tara Weisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Megan Kuhn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Sina Farsiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - C Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Maddala R, Eldawy C, Ho LTY, Challa P, Rao PV. Influence of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 on Intraocular Pressure in Mice. J Transl Med 2024; 104:102025. [PMID: 38290601 PMCID: PMC11031300 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2024.102025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a stress-sensitive cytokine, and a distant member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, has been shown to exhibit increased levels with aging, and in various age-related pathologies. Although GDF15 levels are elevated in the aqueous humor (AH) of glaucoma (optic nerve atrophy) patients, the possible role of this cytokine in the modulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) or AH outflow is unknown. The current study addresses this question using transgenic mice expressing human GDF15 and GDF15 null mice, and by perfusing enucleated mouse eyes with recombinant human GDF15 (rhGDF15). Treatment of primary cultures of human trabecular meshwork cells with a telomerase inhibitor, an endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducing agent, hydrogen peroxide, or an autophagy inhibitor resulted in significant elevation in GDF15 levels relative to the respective control cells. rhGDF15 stimulated modest but significant increases in the expression of genes encoding the extracellular matrix, cell adhesion proteins, and chemokine receptors (C-C chemokine receptor type 2) in human trabecular meshwork cells compared with controls, as deduced from the differential transcriptional profiles using RNA-sequencing analysis. There was a significant increase in IOP in transgenic mice expressing human GDF15, but not in GDF15 null mice, compared with the respective wild-type control mice. The AH outflow facility was decreased in enucleated wild-type mouse eyes perfused with rhGDF15. Light microcopy-based histologic examination of the conventional AH outflow pathway tissues did not reveal identifiable differences between the GDF15-targeted and control mice. Taken together, these results reveal the modest elevation of IOP in mice expressing human GDF15 possibly stemming from decreased AH outflow through the trabecular pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupalatha Maddala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Camelia Eldawy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Leona T Y Ho
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Pratap Challa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ponugoti V Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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Zhang X, Xi G, Feng P, Li C, Kuehn MH, Zhu W. Intraocular pressure across the lifespan of Tg-MYOC Y437H mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109855. [PMID: 38453040 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Transgenic C57BL/6 mice expressing human myocilinY437 (Tg-MYOCY437H) are a well-established model for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). While the reduced trabecular meshwork (TM) cellularity due to severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been characterized as the etiology of this model, there is a limited understanding of how glaucomatous phenotypes evolve over the lifespan of Tg-MyocY437H mice. In this study, we compiled the model's intraocular pressure (IOP) data recorded in our laboratory from 2017 to 2023 and selected representative eyes to measure the outflow facility (Cr), a critical parameter indicating the condition of the conventional TM pathway. We found that Tg-MYOCY437H mice aged 4-12 months exhibited significantly higher IOPs than age-matched C57BL/6 mice. Notably, a decline in IOP was observed in Tg-MYOCY437H mice at 17-24 months of age, a phenomenon not attributable to the gene dosage of mutant myocilin. Measurements of the Cr of Tg-MYOCY437H mice indicated that the age-related IOP reduction was not a result of ongoing TM damage. Instead, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry analysis, and transmission electron microscopic examination revealed that this reduction might be induced by degenerations of the non-pigmented epithelium in the ciliary body of aged Tg-MYOCY437H mice. Overall, our findings provide a comprehensive profile of mutant myocilin-induced ocular changes over the Tg-MYOCY437H mouse lifespan and suggest a specific temporal window of elevated IOP that may be ideal for experimental purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Gaiping Xi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Pengchao Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Markus H Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA; Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, 52246, USA
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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6
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Li H, Kuhn M, Kelly RA, Singh A, Palanivel KK, Salama I, De Ieso ML, Stamer WD, Ganapathy PS, Herberg S. Targeting YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling to ameliorate stiffness-induced Schlemm's canal cell pathobiology. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C513-C528. [PMID: 38105758 PMCID: PMC11192480 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00438.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Pathological alterations in the biomechanical properties of the Schlemm's canal (SC) inner wall endothelium and its immediate vicinity are strongly associated with ocular hypertension in glaucoma due to decreased outflow facility. Specifically, the underlying trabecular meshwork is substantially stiffer in glaucomatous eyes compared with that from normal eyes. This raises the possibility of a critical involvement of mechanotransduction processes in driving SC cell dysfunction. Yes-associated protein (YAP) has emerged as a key contributor to glaucoma pathogenesis. However, the molecular underpinnings of SC cell mechanosignaling via YAP and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in response to glaucomatous extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening are not well understood. Using a novel biopolymer hydrogel that facilitates dynamic and reversible stiffness tuning, we investigated how ECM stiffening modulates YAP/TAZ activity in primary human SC cells, and whether disruption of YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling attenuates SC cell pathobiology and increases ex vivo outflow facility. We demonstrated that ECM stiffening drives pathologic YAP/TAZ activation and cytoskeletal reorganization in SC cells, which was fully reversible by matrix softening in a distinct time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed that pharmacologic or genetic disruption of YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling abrogates stiffness-induced SC cell dysfunction involving altered cytoskeletal and ECM remodeling. Finally, we found that perfusion of the clinically used, small molecule YAP/TAZ inhibitor verteporfin (without light activation) increases ex vivo outflow facility in normal mouse eyes. Collectively, our data provide new evidence for a pathologic role of aberrant YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling in SC cell dysfunction and suggest that YAP/TAZ inhibition has therapeutic value for treating ocular hypertension in glaucoma.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pathologically altered biomechanical properties of the Schlemm's canal (SC) inner wall microenvironment were recently validated as the cause for increased outflow resistance in ocular hypertensive glaucoma. However, the involvement of specific mechanotransduction pathways in these disease processes is largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are central regulators of glaucoma-like SC cell dysfunction in response to extracellular matrix stiffening and that targeted disruption of YAP/TAZ mechanosignaling attenuates SC cell pathobiology and enhances outflow function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Megan Kuhn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ruth A Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ayushi Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Kavipriya Kovai Palanivel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Izzy Salama
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Michael L De Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Preethi S Ganapathy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Samuel Herberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
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Yuan T, Shen L, Dini D. Porosity-permeability tensor relationship of closely and randomly packed fibrous biomaterials and biological tissues: Application to the brain white matter. Acta Biomater 2024; 173:123-134. [PMID: 37979635 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The constitutive model for the porosity-permeability relationship is a powerful tool to estimate and design the transport properties of porous materials, which has attracted significant attention for the advancement of novel materials. However, in comparison with other materials, biomaterials, especially natural and artificial tissues, have more complex microstructures e.g. high anisotropy, high randomness of cell/fibre dimensions/position and very low porosity. Consequently, a reliable microstructure-permeability relationship of fibrous biomaterials has proven elusive. To fill this gap, we start a mathematical derivation from the fundamental brain white matter (WM) formed by nerve fibres. This is augmented by a numerical characterisation and experimental validations to obtain an anisotropic permeability tensor of the brain WM as a function of the tissue porosity. A versatile microstructure generation software (MicroFiM) for fibrous biomaterial with complex microstructure and low porosity was built accordingly and made freely accessible here. Moreover, we propose an anisotropic poro-hyperelastic model enhanced by the newly defined porosity-permeability tensor relationship which precisely captures the tissues macro-scale permeability changes due to the microstructural deformation in an infusion scenario. The constitutive model, theories and protocols established in this study will both provide improved design strategies to tailor the transport properties of fibrous biomaterials and enable the non-invasive characterisation of the transport properties of biological tissues. This will lead to the provision of better patient-specific medical treatments, such as drug delivery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the microstructural complexity, a reliable microstructure-permeability relationship of fibrous biomaterials has proven elusive, which hinders our way of tuning the fluid transport property of the biomaterials by directly programming their microstructure. The same problem hinders non-invasive characterisations of fluid transport properties in biological tissues, which can significantly improve the efficiency of treatments e.g. drug delivery, directly from the tissues accessible microstructural information, e.g. porosity. Here, we developed a validated mathematical formulation to link the random microstructure to a fibrous material's macroscale permeability tensor. This will advance our capability to design complex biomaterials and make it possible to non-invasively characterise the permeability of living tissues for precise treatment planning. The newly established theory and protocol can be easily adapted to various types of fibrous biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Daniele Dini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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8
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Li G, van Batenburg-Sherwood J, Safa BN, Fraticelli Guzmán NS, Wilson A, Bahrani Fard MR, Choy K, De Ieso ML, Cui JS, Feola AJ, Weisz T, Kuhn M, Rickman CB, Farsiu S, Ethier CR, Stamer WD. Aging and intraocular pressure homeostasis in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.17.562768. [PMID: 38106150 PMCID: PMC10723259 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Age and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are the two primary risk factors for glaucoma, an optic neuropathy that is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. In most people, IOP is tightly regulated over a lifetime by the conventional outflow tissues. However, the mechanistic contributions of age to conventional outflow dysregulation, elevated IOP and glaucoma are unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we studied how age affects the morphology, biomechanical properties and function of conventional outflow tissues in C57BL/6 mice, which have an outflow system similar to humans. As reported in humans, we observed that IOP in mice was maintained within a tight range over their lifespan. Remarkably, despite a constellation of age-related changes to the conventional outflow tissues that would be expected to hinder aqueous drainage and impair homeostatic function (decreased cellularity, increased pigment accumulation, increased cellular senescence and increased stiffness), outflow facility, a measure of conventional outflow tissue fluid conductivity, was stable with age. We conclude that the murine conventional outflow system has significant functional reserve in healthy eyes. However, these age-related changes, when combined with other underlying factors, such as genetic susceptibility, are expected to increase risk for ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
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9
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Mohamed Y, Passaglia CL. Simulation of gravity- and pump-driven perfusion techniques for measuring outflow facility of ex vivo and in vivo eyes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294607. [PMID: 37988400 PMCID: PMC10662726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aqueous humor dynamics are commonly assessed by infusing fluid into the eye and measuring intraocular pressure (IOP). From the pressure-flow relationship, conventional outflow facility is estimated to study glaucomatous processes that lower facility or identify therapeutics that enhance facility in hopes of restoring healthy IOP levels. The relative merits and limitations of constant flow (CF), gravity-driven constant pressure (CPg), and pump-driven constant pressure (CPp) infusion techniques were explored via simulations of a lumped parameter viscoelastic model of the eye. Model parameter values were based on published perfusion system properties and outflow facility data from rodents. Step increases in pressure or flow were simulated without and with IOP noise recorded from enucleated eyes, anesthetized animals, and conscious animals. Steady-state response levels were determined using published window and ratio criteria. Model simulations show that all perfusion techniques estimate facility accurately and that ocular fluid dynamics set a hard limit on how fast measurements can be taken. This limit can be approached with CPg and CPp systems by increasing their gain but not with CF systems, which invariably take longest to settle. Facility experiment duration is further lengthened by inclusion of IOP noise, and data filtering is needed for steady-state detection with in vivo noise. The ratio criterion was particularly affected because noise in the flow data is amplified by the higher gain of CPg and CPp systems. A recursive regression method is introduced, which can ignore large transient IOP fluctuations that interfere with steady-state detection by fitting incoming data to the viscoelastic eye model. The fitting method greatly speeds up data collection without loss of accuracy, which could enable outflow facility measurements in conscious animals. The model may be generalized to study response dynamics to fluid infusion in other viscoelastic compartments of the body and model insights extended to optimize experiment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Mohamed
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. Passaglia
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
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10
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Suarez MF, Schmitt HM, Kuhn MS, Watkins T, Hake KM, Weisz T, Flynn EJ, Elliott MH, Hauser MA, Stamer WD. Genetic background determines severity of Loxl1-mediated systemic and ocular elastosis in mice. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050392. [PMID: 37905384 PMCID: PMC10668029 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a systemic, age-related disorder characterized by elastosis and extracellular matrix deposits. Its most significant ocular manifestation is an aggressive form of glaucoma associated with variants in the gene encoding lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1). Depending upon the population, variants in LOXL1 can impart risk or protection for PEX, suggesting the importance of genetic context. As LOXL1 protein levels are lower and the degree of elastosis is higher in people with PEX, we studied Loxl1-deficient mice on three different genetic backgrounds: C57BL/6 (BL/6), 129S×C57BL/6 (50/50) and 129S. Early onset and high prevalence of spontaneous pelvic organ prolapse in BL/6 Loxl1-/- mice necessitated the study of mice that were <2 months old. Similar to pelvic organ prolapse, most elastosis endpoints were the most severe in BL/6 Loxl1-/- mice, including skin laxity, pulmonary tropoelastin accumulation, expansion of Schlemm's canal and dilation of intrascleral veins. Interestingly, intraocular pressure was elevated in 50/50 Loxl1-/- mice, depressed in BL/6 Loxl1-/- mice and unchanged in 129S Loxl1-/- mice compared to that of control littermates. Overall, the 129S background was protective against most elastosis phenotypes studied. Thus, repair of elastin-containing tissues is impacted by the abundance of LOXL1 and genetic context in young animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria F. Suarez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Heather M. Schmitt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Megan S. Kuhn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - TeddiJo Watkins
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Kristyn M. Hake
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Tara Weisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Edward J. Flynn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Michael H. Elliott
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael A. Hauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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11
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De Ieso ML, Kelly R, Mzyk P, Stamer WD. Development and testing of a metabolic chamber for effluent collection during whole eye perfusions. Exp Eye Res 2023; 236:109652. [PMID: 37717688 PMCID: PMC10842592 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Ocular hypertension is caused by dysregulated outflow resistance regulation by the conventional outflow (CO) pathway. The physiology of the CO pathway can be directly studied during ex vivo ocular perfusions. In addition to measuring outflow resistance generation by the CO tissues, perfusion media that is conditioned by CO pathway cells can be collected upon exiting the eye as effluent. Thus, contents of effluent include factors contributed by upstream cells that report on the (dys)functionality of the outflow tissues. Two methods have been used in the past to monitor effluent contents from perfused eyes, each with their limitations. To overcome these limitations, we designed and printed a metabolic chamber to accommodate eyes of different sizes during perfusions. To test this new chamber, human eyes were perfused for 4 h at constant flow rate of 2.5 μl/min, while pressure was continuously monitored and effluent was collected every hour. Facility was 0.28 ± 0.16 μl/min/mmHg for OD eyes and 0.33 ± 0.11 μl/min/mmHg for OS eyes (n = 3). Effluent samples were protein rich, with protein concentration ranging from 2700 to 10,000 μg/ml for all eyes and timepoints (N = 3). Effluent samples expressed proteins that were actively secreted by the TM and easily detectible including MYOC and MMP2. Taken together, our model provides a reliable method to collect effluent from ex vivo human eyes, while maintaining whole globe integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L De Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Ruth Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Philip Mzyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
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12
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Li H, Kuhn M, Kelly RA, Singh A, Palanivel KK, Salama I, De Ieso ML, Stamer WD, Ganapathy PS, Herberg S. Targeting YAP mechanosignaling to ameliorate stiffness-induced Schlemm's canal cell pathobiology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.08.556840. [PMID: 37781615 PMCID: PMC10541092 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.08.556840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Pathologic alterations in the biomechanical properties of the Schlemm's canal (SC) inner wall endothelium and its immediate vicinity are strongly associated with ocular hypertension in glaucoma due to decreased outflow facility. Specifically, the underlying trabecular meshwork is substantially stiffer in glaucomatous eyes compared to that from normal eyes. This raises the possibility of a critical involvement of mechanotransduction processes in driving SC cell dysfunction. Yes-associated protein (YAP) has emerged as a key contributor to glaucoma pathogenesis. However, the molecular underpinnings of SC cell YAP mechanosignaling in response to glaucomatous extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening are not well understood. Using a novel biopolymer hydrogel that facilitates dynamic and reversible stiffness tuning, we investigated how ECM stiffening modulates YAP activity in primary human SC cells, and whether disruption of YAP mechanosignaling attenuates SC cell pathobiology and increases ex vivo outflow facility. We demonstrated that ECM stiffening drives pathologic YAP activation and cytoskeletal reorganization in SC cells, which was fully reversible by matrix softening in a distinct time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed that pharmacologic or genetic disruption of YAP mechanosignaling abrogates stiffness-induced SC cell dysfunction involving altered cytoskeletal and ECM remodeling. Lastly, we found that perfusion of the clinically-used, small molecule YAP inhibitor verteporfin (without light activation) increases ex vivo outflow facility in normal mouse eyes. Collectively, our data provide new evidence for a pathologic role of aberrant YAP mechanosignaling in SC cell dysfunction and suggest that YAP inhibition has therapeutic value for treating ocular hypertension in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Megan Kuhn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ruth A. Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ayushi Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Kavipriya Kovai Palanivel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Izzy Salama
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Michael L. De Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Preethi S. Ganapathy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Samuel Herberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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13
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Kizhatil K, Clark G, Sunderland D, Bhandari A, Horbal L, Balasubramanian R, John S. FYN regulates aqueous humor outflow and IOP through the phosphorylation of VE-cadherin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.04.556253. [PMID: 37886565 PMCID: PMC10602025 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.04.556253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The exact sites and molecules that determine resistance to aqueous humor drainage and control intraocular pressure (IOP) need further elaboration. Proposed sites include the inner wall of Schlemms's canal and the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork ocular drainage tissues. The adherens junctions (AJs) of Schlemm's canal endothelial cells (SECs) must both preserve the blood-aqueous humor (AQH) barrier and be conducive to AQH drainage. How homeostatic control of AJ permeability in SC occurs and how such control impacts IOP is unclear. We hypothesized that mechano-responsive phosphorylation of the junctional molecule VE-CADHERIN (VEC) by SRC family kinases (SFKs) regulates the permeability of SEC AJs. We tested this by clamping IOP at either 16 mmHg, 25 mmHg, or 45 mmHg in mice and then measuring AJ permeability and VEC phosphorylation. We found that with increasing IOP: 1) SEC AJ permeability increased, 2) VEC phosphorylation was increased at tyrosine-658, and 3) SFKs were activated at the AJ. Among the two SFKs known to phosphorylate VEC, FYN, but not SRC, localizes to the SC. Furthermore, FYN mutant mice had decreased phosphorylation of VEC at SEC AJs, dysregulated IOP, and reduced AQH outflow. Together, our data demonstrate that increased IOP activates FYN in the inner wall of SC, leading to increased phosphorylation of AJ VEC and, thus, decreased resistance to AQH outflow. These findings support a crucial role of mechanotransduction signaling in IOP homeostasis within SC in response to IOP. These data strongly suggest that the inner wall of SC partially contributes to outflow resistance.
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14
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Ujiie N, Norden PR, Fang R, Beckmann L, Cai Z, Kweon J, Liu T, Tan C, Kuhn MS, Stamer WD, Aoto K, Quaggin SE, Zhang HF, Kume T. Differential roles of FOXC2 in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal in glaucomatous pathology. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201721. [PMID: 37414529 PMCID: PMC10326420 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired development and maintenance of Schlemm's canal (SC) are associated with perturbed aqueous humor outflow and intraocular pressure. The angiopoietin (ANGPT)/TIE2 signaling pathway regulates SC development and maintenance, whereas the molecular mechanisms of crosstalk between SC and the neural crest (NC)-derived neighboring tissue, the trabecular meshwork (TM), are poorly understood. Here, we show NC-specific forkhead box (Fox)c2 deletion in mice results in impaired SC morphogenesis, loss of SC identity, and elevated intraocular pressure. Visible-light optical coherence tomography analysis further demonstrated functional impairment of the SC in response to changes in intraocular pressure in NC-Foxc2 -/- mice, suggesting altered TM biomechanics. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis identified that this phenotype is predominately characterized by transcriptional changes associated with extracellular matrix organization and stiffness in TM cell clusters, including increased matrix metalloproteinase expression, which can cleave the TIE2 ectodomain to produce soluble TIE2. Moreover, endothelial-specific Foxc2 deletion impaired SC morphogenesis because of reduced TIE2 expression, which was rescued by deleting the TIE2 phosphatase VE-PTP. Thus, Foxc2 is critical in maintaining SC identity and morphogenesis via TM-SC crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Ujiie
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pieter R Norden
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raymond Fang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Lisa Beckmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Zhen Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Junghun Kweon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Can Tan
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Megan S Kuhn
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Kazushi Aoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Susan E Quaggin
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hao F Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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15
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Dixon A, Shim MS, Nettesheim A, Coyne A, Su CC, Gong H, Liton PB. Autophagy deficiency protects against ocular hypertension and neurodegeneration in experimental and spontanous glaucoma mouse models. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:554. [PMID: 37620383 PMCID: PMC10449899 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06086-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that leads to chronic degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and progressive loss of RGCs, resulting in vision loss. While aging and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) have been identified as the main contributing factors to glaucoma, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways triggering RGC death and axonal degeneration are not fully understood. Previous studies in our laboratory found that overactivation of autophagy in DBA/2J::GFP-LC3 mice led to RGC death and optic nerve degeneration with glaucomatous IOP elevation. We found similar findings in aging GFP-LC3 mice subjected to chronic IOP elevation. Here, we further investigated the impact of autophagy deficiency on autophagy-deficient DBA/2J-Atg4bko and DBA/2J-Atg4b+/- mice, generated in our laboratory via CRISPR/Cas9 technology; as well as in Atg4bko mice subjected to the experimental TGFβ2 chronic ocular hypertensive model. Our data shows that, in contrast to DBA/2J and DBA/2J-Atg4b+/- littermates, DBA/2J-Atg4bko mice do not develop glaucomatous IOP elevation. Atg4b deficiency also protected against glaucomatous IOP elevation in the experimental TGFβ2 chronic ocular hypertensive model. Atg4 deletion did not compromise RGC or optic nerve survival in Atg4bko mice. Moreover, our results indicate a protective role of autophagy deficiency against RGC death and ON atrophy in the hypertensive DBA/2J-Atg4b+/- mice. Together, our data suggests a pathogenic role of autophagy activation in ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Dixon
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Myoung Sup Shim
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - April Nettesheim
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Aislyn Coyne
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Chien-Chia Su
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Paloma B Liton
- Department of Ophthalmology & Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.
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16
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Karimi A, Crouch DJ, Razaghi R, Crawford Downs J, Acott TS, Kelley MJ, Behnsen JG, Bosworth LA, Sheridan CM. Morphological and biomechanical analyses of the human healthy and glaucomatous aqueous outflow pathway: Imaging-to-modeling. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 236:107485. [PMID: 37149973 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Intraocular pressure (IOP) is maintained via a dynamic balance between the production of aqueous humor and its drainage through the trabecular meshwork (TM), juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT), and Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium of the conventional outflow pathway. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is often associated with IOP elevation that occurs due to an abnormally high outflow resistance across the outflow pathway. Outflow tissues are viscoelastic and actively interact with aqueous humor dynamics through a two-way fluid-structure interaction coupling. While glaucoma affects the morphology and stiffness of the outflow tissues, their biomechanics and hydrodynamics in glaucoma eyes remain largely unknown. This research aims to develop an image-to-model method allowing the biomechanics and hydrodynamics of the conventional aqueous outflow pathway to be studied. METHODS We used a combination of X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy to reconstruct high-fidelity, eye-specific, 3D microstructural finite element models of the healthy and glaucoma outflow tissues in cellularized and decellularized conditions. The viscoelastic TM/JCT/SC complex finite element models with embedded viscoelastic beam elements were subjected to a physiological IOP load boundary; the stresses/strains and the flow state were calculated using fluid-structure interaction and computational fluid dynamics. RESULTS Based on the resultant hydrodynamics parameters across the outflow pathway, the primary site of outflow resistance in healthy eyes was in the JCT and immediate vicinity of the SC inner wall, while the majority of the outflow resistance in the glaucoma eyes occurred in the TM. The TM and JCT in the glaucoma eyes showed 1.32-fold and 1.13-fold larger beam thickness and smaller trabecular space size (2.24-fold and 1.50-fold) compared to the healthy eyes. CONCLUSIONS Characterizing the accurate morphology of the outflow tissues may significantly contribute to constructing more accurate, robust, and reliable models, that can eventually help to better understand the dynamic IOP regulation, hydrodynamics of the aqueous humor, and outflow resistance dynamic in the human eyes. This model demonstrates proof of concept for determining changes to outflow resistance in healthy and glaucomatous tissues and thus may be utilized in larger cohorts of donor tissues where disease specificity, race, age, and gender of the eye donors may be accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Karimi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Devon J Crouch
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, United Kingdom
| | - Reza Razaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - J Crawford Downs
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Ted S Acott
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Mary J Kelley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States; Department of Integrative Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Julia G Behnsen
- Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 6GB, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy A Bosworth
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, United Kingdom
| | - Carl M Sheridan
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, United Kingdom.
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17
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Kelly RA, McDonnell FS, De Ieso ML, Overby DR, Stamer WD. Pressure Clamping During Ocular Perfusions Drives Nitric Oxide-Mediated Washout. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:36. [PMID: 37358489 PMCID: PMC10297780 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.7.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) mediates a pressure-dependent, negative feedback loop that maintains conventional outflow homeostasis and thus IOP. If true, holding pressure during ocular perfusions will result in uncontrolled production of NO, hyper-relaxation of the trabecular meshwork, and washout. Methods Paired porcine eyes were perfused at constant pressure of 15 mm Hg. After 1 hour acclimatization, one eye was exchanged with N5-[imino(nitroamino)methyl]-L-ornithine, methyl ester, monohydrochloride (L-NAME) (50 µm) and the contralateral eye with DBG, and perfused for 3 hours. In a separate group, one eye was exchanged with DETA-NO (100 nM) and the other with DBG and perfused for 30 minutes. Changes in conventional outflow tissue function and morphology were monitored. Results Control eyes exhibited a washout rate of 15% (P = 0.0026), whereas eyes perfused with L-NAME showed a 10% decrease in outflow facility from baseline over 3 hours (P < 0.01); with nitrite levels in effluent positively correlating with time and facility. Compared with L-NAME-treated eyes, significant morphological changes in control eyes included increased distal vessel size, number of giant vacuoles, and juxtacanalicular tissue separation from the angular aqueous plexi (P < 0.05). For 30-minute perfusions, control eyes showed a washout rate of 11% (P = 0.075), whereas DETA-NO-treated eyes showed an increased washout rate of 33% from baseline (P < 0.005). Compared with control eyes, significant morphological changes in DETA-NO-treated eyes also included increased distal vessel size, number of giant vacuoles and juxtacanalicular tissue separation (P < 0.05). Conclusions Uncontrolled NO production is responsible for washout during perfusions of nonhuman eyes where pressure is clamped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth A. Kelly
- Ophthalmology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Fiona S. McDonnell
- Ophthalmology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Ophthalmology Department, University of Utah, Utah, United States
| | - Michael L. De Ieso
- Ophthalmology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Darryl R. Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Ophthalmology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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18
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O’Callaghan J, Delaney C, O’Connor M, van Batenburg-Sherwood J, Schicht M, Lütjen-Drecoll E, Hudson N, Ni Dhubhghaill S, Humphries P, Stanley C, Keravala A, Chalberg T, Lawrence MS, Campbell M. Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)-mediated gene therapy for glaucoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf6537. [PMID: 37075118 PMCID: PMC10115410 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf6537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 80 million people globally are affected by glaucoma, with a projected increase to over 110 million by 2040. Substantial issues surrounding patient compliance remain with topical eye drops, and up to 10% of patients become treatment resistant, putting them at risk of permanent vision loss. The major risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure, which is regulated by the balance between the secretion of aqueous humor and the resistance to its flow across the conventional outflow pathway. Here, we show that adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) can increase outflow in two murine models of glaucoma and in nonhuman primates. We show that long-term AAV9 transduction of the corneal endothelium in the nonhuman primate is safe and well tolerated. Last, MMP-3 increases outflow in donor human eyes. Collectively, our data suggest that glaucoma can be readily treated with gene therapy-based methods, paving the way for deployment in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Conor Delaney
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | | | - Martin Schicht
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elke Lütjen-Drecoll
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Natalie Hudson
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | - Peter Humphries
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthew Campbell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Corresponding author.
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19
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Mohamed Y, Passaglia CL. A portable feedback-controlled pump for monitoring eye outflow facility in conscious rats. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280332. [PMID: 36630474 PMCID: PMC9833506 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is heavily influenced by the resistance of trabecular outflow pathways through which most of the aqueous humor produced by the eye continuously drains. The standard method of quantifying outflow resistance and other aspects of ocular fluid dynamics is eye cannulation, which allows for direct measurement and manipulation of IOP and flow in animal models. Since the method is invasive, indirect techniques that are slower and less accurate must be used for chronological studies. A novel technology is introduced that can autonomously measure outflow facility in conscious rats multiple times a day. A smart portable micropump infuses fluid into the eye through a permanently-implanted cannula and dynamically adjusts flow rate using a unique proportional feedback algorithm that sets IOP to a target level, even though IOP fluctuates erratically in awake free-moving animals. Pressure-flow data collected by the system from anesthetized rats were validated against intraocular recordings with commercial pressure and flow sensors. System and sensor estimates of outflow facility were indistinguishable, averaging 23 ± 3 nl·min-1·mmHg-1 across animals (n = 11). Pressure-flow data were then collected round-the-clock for several days from conscious rats, while outflow facility was measured every few hours. A significant diurnal facility rhythm was observed in every animal (n = 4), with mean daytime level of 22 ± 10 nl·min-1·mmHg-1 and mean nighttime level of 15 ± 7 nl·min-1·mmHg-1. The rhythm correlated with diurnal changes in IOP and likely contributed prominently to those changes based on the day-night swing in facility magnitude. Hence, the portable smart pump offers a unique tool for repeated long-term monitoring of outflow facility and other possible parameters of ocular health. It could also be useful in animal glaucoma studies for reversibly inducing acute or chronic ocular hypertension without explicitly damaging trabecular outflow pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Mohamed
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. Passaglia
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
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20
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Waxman S, Strzalkowska A, Wang C, Loewen R, Dang Y, Loewen NA. Tissue-engineered anterior segment eye cultures demonstrate hallmarks of conventional organ culture. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2022; 261:1359-1368. [PMID: 36565327 PMCID: PMC10148776 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05915-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glaucoma is a blinding disease largely caused by dysregulation of outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM), resulting in elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). We hypothesized that transplanting TM cells into a decellularized, tissue-engineered anterior segment eye culture could restore the outflow structure and function. METHODS Porcine eyes were decellularized with freeze-thaw cycles and perfusion of surfactant. We seeded control scaffolds with CrFK cells transduced with lentiviral vectors to stably express eGFP and compared them to scaffolds seeded with primary TM cells as well as to normal, unaltered eyes. We tracked the repopulation behavior, performed IOP maintenance challenges, and analyzed the histology. RESULTS Transplanted cells localized to the TM and progressively infiltrated the extracellular matrix, reaching a distribution comparable to normal, unaltered eyes. After a perfusion rate challenge to mimic a glaucomatous pressure elevation, transplanted and normal eyes reestablished a normal intraocular pressure (transplanted = 16.5 ± 0.9 mmHg, normal = 16.9 ± 0.9). However, eyes reseeded with eGFP-expressing CrFK cells could not regulate IOP, remaining high and unstable (27.0 ± 6.2 mmHg) instead. CONCLUSION Tissue-engineered anterior segment scaffolds can serve as readily available, scalable ocular perfusion cultures. This could reduce dependency on scarce donor globes in outflow research and may allow engineering perfusion cultures with specific geno- and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah Waxman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Chao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ralitsa Loewen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yalong Dang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Sanmenxia Central Hospital, Sanmenxia, Henan, China
| | - Nils A Loewen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Artemis Eye Centers of Frankfurt, Hanauer Landstr. 147-149, 60314, Frankfurt, Germany.
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21
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Segmental outflow dynamics in the trabecular meshwork of living mice. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109285. [PMID: 36273576 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aqueous humour does not drain uniformly through the trabecular meshwork (TM), but rather follows non-uniform or "segmental" routes. In this study, we examined whether segmental outflow patterns in the TM change over time in living mice and whether such changes are affected by age. Segmental outflow patterns were labelled by constant-pressure infusion of fluorescent tracer microparticles into the anterior chamber of anesthetised C57BL/6J mice at 3 or 8 months of age. Two different tracer colours were infused at separate time points with an interval of Δt = 0, 2, 7 or 14 days. In a separate experiment, one tracer was infused in vivo while the second tracer was infused ex vivo after 2 days. The spatial relationship between the two tracer patterns was analysed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient, r. In 3-month-old mice, there was a time-dependent decay in r, which was near unity at Δt = 0 and near zero at Δt = 14 days. In 8-month-old mice, r remained elevated for 14 days. Segmental outflow patterns measured in young mice ex vivo were not significantly different from those measured in vivo after accounting for the expected changes over 2 days. Therefore, segmental outflow patterns are not static in the TM but redistribute over time, achieving near complete loss of correlation by 2 weeks in young healthy mice. There is an age-related decline in the rate at which segmental outflow patterns redistribute in the TM. Further research is needed to understand the dynamic factors controlling segmental outflow.
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22
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Mavlyutov TA, Kuhn MS, Bilal SE, De Ieso ML, Chauhan AK, Stamer WD, McDowell CM. Decreased outflow facility and Schlemm's canal defects in a mouse model of glaucoma. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109249. [PMID: 36152913 PMCID: PMC9722577 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Previously we identified B6.EDA+/+ mice as a novel mouse model that presents with elevated IOP and trabecular meshwork damage. Here, we expand on our previous findings by measuring aqueous humor outflow facility and analyzing the integrity of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. As expected, intraocular pressure (IOP) was increased, and outflow facility was decreased compared to C57BL/6J controls. B6.EDA+/+ mice had significantly increased expression of the adherens junction protein, VE-cadherin by the inner wall endothelium of Schlemm's canal. These data suggest that in addition to trabecular meshwork damage, there are changes in Schlemm's canal in B6.EDA+/+ mice that lead to aqueous outflow dysfunction and ocular hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur A Mavlyutov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53575, USA
| | - Megan S Kuhn
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samer E Bilal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53575, USA
| | | | - Anil K Chauhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Colleen M McDowell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53575, USA.
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23
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Karimi A, Razaghi R, Rahmati SM, Downs JC, Acott TS, Kelley MJ, Wang RK, Johnstone M. The Effect of Intraocular Pressure Load Boundary on the Biomechanics of the Human Conventional Aqueous Outflow Pathway. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:672. [PMID: 36354583 PMCID: PMC9687513 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aqueous humor outflow resistance in the trabecular meshwork (TM), juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT), and Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium of the conventional outflow pathway actively contribute to intraocular pressure (IOP) regulation. Outflow resistance is actively affected by the dynamic outflow pressure gradient across the TM, JCT, and SC inner wall tissues. The resistance effect implies the presence of a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) coupling between the outflow tissues and the aqueous humor. However, the biomechanical interactions between viscoelastic outflow tissues and aqueous humor dynamics are largely unknown. METHODS A 3D microstructural finite element (FE) model of a healthy human eye TM/JCT/SC complex was constructed with elastic and viscoelastic material properties for the bulk extracellular matrix and embedded elastic cable elements. The FE models were subjected to both idealized and a physiologic IOP load boundary using the FSI method. RESULTS The elastic material model for both the idealized and physiologic IOP load boundary at equal IOPs showed similar stresses and strains in the outflow tissues as well as pressure in the aqueous humor. However, outflow tissues with viscoelastic material properties were sensitive to the IOP load rate, resulting in different mechanical and hydrodynamic responses in the tissues and aqueous humor. CONCLUSIONS Transient IOP fluctuations may cause a relatively large IOP difference of ~20 mmHg in a very short time frame of ~0.1 s, resulting in a rate stiffening in the outflow tissues. Rate stiffening reduces strains and causes a rate-dependent pressure gradient across the outflow tissues. Thus, the results suggest it is necessary to use a viscoelastic material model in outflow tissues that includes the important role of IOP load rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Karimi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Reza Razaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - J. Crawford Downs
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Ted S. Acott
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Mary J. Kelley
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Integrative Biosciences, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ruikang K. Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Murray Johnstone
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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24
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Karimi A, Razaghi R, Padilla S, Rahmati SM, Downs JC, Acott TS, Kelley MJ, Wang RK, Johnstone M. Viscoelastic Biomechanical Properties of the Conventional Aqueous Outflow Pathway Tissues in Healthy and Glaucoma Human Eyes. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11206049. [PMID: 36294371 PMCID: PMC9605362 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11206049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although the tissues comprising the ocular conventional outflow pathway have shown strong viscoelastic mechanical response to aqueous humor pressure dynamics, the viscoelastic mechanical properties of the trabecular meshwork (TM), juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT), and Schlemm’s canal (SC) inner wall are largely unknown. Methods: A quadrant of the anterior segment from two human donor eyes at low- and high-flow (LF and HF) outflow regions was pressurized and imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A finite element (FE) model of the TM, the adjacent JCT, and the SC inner wall was constructed and viscoelastic beam elements were distributed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the TM and JCT to represent anisotropic collagen. An inverse FE-optimization algorithm was used to calculate the viscoelastic properties of the ECM/beam elements such that the TM/JCT/SC model and OCT imaging data best matched over time. Results: The ECM of the glaucoma tissues showed significantly larger time-dependent shear moduli compared to the heathy tissues. Significantly larger shear moduli were also observed in the LF regions of both the healthy and glaucoma eyes compared to the HF regions. Conclusions: The outflow tissues in both glaucoma eyes and HF regions are stiffer and less able to respond to dynamic IOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Karimi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Reza Razaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Steven Padilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - J. Crawford Downs
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Ted S. Acott
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Mary J. Kelley
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Integrative Biosciences, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ruikang K. Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Murray Johnstone
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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25
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Karimi A, Razaghi R, Rahmati SM, Downs JC, Acott TS, Wang RK, Johnstone M. Modeling the biomechanics of the conventional aqueous outflow pathway microstructure in the human eye. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 221:106922. [PMID: 35660940 PMCID: PMC10424784 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Intraocular pressure (IOP) is determined by aqueous humor outflow resistance, which is a function of the combined resistance of Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium and the trabecular meshwork (TM) and their interactions in the juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT) region. Aqueous outflow in the conventional outflow pathway results in pressure gradient across the TM, JCT, and SC inner wall, and induces mechanical stresses and strains that influence the geometry and homeostasis of the outflow system. The outflow resistance is affected by alteration in tissues' geometry, so there is potential for active, two-way, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) coupling between the aqueous humor (fluid) and the TM, JCT, and SC inner wall (structure). However, our understanding of the biomechanical interactions of the aqueous humor with the outflow connective tissues and its contribution to the outflow resistance regulation is incomplete. METHODS In this study, a microstructural finite element (FE) model of a human eye TM, JCT, and SC inner wall was constructed from a segmented, high-resolution histologic 3D reconstruction of the human outflow system. Three different elastic moduli (0.004, 0.128, and 51.5 MPa based on prior reports) were assigned to the TM/JCT complex while the elastic modulus of the SC inner wall was kept constant at 0.00748 MPa. The hydraulic conductivity was programmed separately for the TM, JCT, and SC inner wall using a custom subroutine. Cable elements were embedded into the TM and JCT extracellular matrix to represent the directional stiffness imparted by anisotropic collagen fibril orientation. The resultant stresses and strains in the outflow system were calculated using fluid-structure interaction method. RESULTS The higher TM/JCT stiffness resulted in larger stresses, but smaller strains in the outflow connective tissues, and resulted in a 4- and 5-fold larger pressure drop across the SC inner wall, respectively, compared to the most compliant model. Funneling through µm-sized SC endothelial pores was evident in the models at lower tissue stiffness, but aqueous flow was more turbulent in models with higher TM/JCT stiffness. CONCLUSIONS The mechanical properties of the outflow tissues play a crucial role in the hydrodynamics of the aqueous humor in the conventional outflow system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Karimi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, VH 372B, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Reza Razaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, VH 372B, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - J Crawford Downs
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, VH 372B, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ted S Acott
- Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ruikang K Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Murray Johnstone
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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26
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Madekurozwa M, Reina-Torres E, Overby DR, van Batenburg-Sherwood J. Measurement of postmortem outflow facility using iPerfusion. Exp Eye Res 2022; 220:109103. [PMID: 35525299 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The key risk factor for glaucoma is elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and alleviating it is the only effective therapeutic approach to inhibit further vision loss. IOP is regulated by the flow of aqueous humour across resistive tissues, and a reduction in outflow facility C, is responsible for the IOP elevation in glaucoma. Measurement of C is therefore important when investigating the pathophysiology of glaucoma and testing candidate treatments for lowering IOP. Due to similar anatomy and response to pharmacological treatments, mouse eyes are a common model of human aqueous humour dynamics. The ex vivo preparation, in which an enucleated mouse eye is mounted in a temperature controlled bath and cannulated, has been well characterised and is widely used. The postmortem in situ model, in which the eyes are perfused within the cadaver, has received relatively little attention. In this study, we investigate the postmortem in situ model using the iPerfusion system, with a particular focus on i) the presence or absence of pressure-independent flow, ii) the effect of evaporation on measured flow rates and iii) the magnitude and pressure dependence of outflow facility and how these properties are affected by postmortem changes. Measurements immediately after cannulation and following multi-pressure facility measurement demonstrated negligible pressure-independent flow in postmortem eyes, in contrast to assumptions made in previous studies. Using a humidity chamber, we investigated whether the humidity of the surrounding air would influence measured flow rates. We found that at room levels of humidity, evaporation of saline droplets on the eye resulted in artefactual flow rates with a magnitude comparable to outflow, which were eliminated by a high relative humidity (>85%) environment. Average postmortem outflow facility was ∼4 nl/min/mmHg, similar to values observed ex vivo, irrespective of whether a postmortem delay was introduced prior to cannulation. The intra-animal variability of measured outflow facility values was also reduced relative to previous ex vivo data. The pressure-dependence of outflow facility was reduced in the postmortem relative to ex vivo model, and practically eliminated when eyes were cannulated >40 min after euthanisation. Overall, our results indicate that the moderately increased technical complexity associated with postmortem perfusion provides reduced variability and reduced pressure-dependence in outflow facility, when experimental conditions are properly controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Darryl R Overby
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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27
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Yarishkin O, Phuong TTT, Vazquez-Chona F, Bertrand J, van Battenburg-Sherwood J, Redmon SN, Rudzitis CN, Lakk M, Baumann JM, Freichel M, Hwang EM, Overby D, Križaj D. Emergent Temporal Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells: Role of TRPV4-TRPM4 Interactions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:805076. [PMID: 35432302 PMCID: PMC9008486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.805076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are phagocytic cells that employ mechanotransduction to actively regulate intraocular pressure. Similar to macrophages, they express scavenger receptors and participate in antigen presentation within the immunosuppressive milieu of the anterior eye. Changes in pressure deform and compress the TM, altering their control of aqueous humor outflow but it is not known whether transducer activation shapes temporal signaling. The present study combines electrophysiology, histochemistry and functional imaging with gene silencing and heterologous expression to gain insight into Ca2+ signaling downstream from TRPV4 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4), a stretch-activated polymodal cation channel. Human TM cells respond to the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A with fluctuations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and an increase in [Na+]i. [Ca2+]i oscillations coincided with monovalent cation current that was suppressed by BAPTA, Ruthenium Red and the TRPM4 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4) channel inhibitor 9-phenanthrol. TM cells expressed TRPM4 mRNA, protein at the expected 130-150 kDa and showed punctate TRPM4 immunoreactivity at the membrane surface. Genetic silencing of TRPM4 antagonized TRPV4-evoked oscillatory signaling whereas TRPV4 and TRPM4 co-expression in HEK-293 cells reconstituted the oscillations. Membrane potential recordings suggested that TRPM4-dependent oscillations require release of Ca2+ from internal stores. 9-phenanthrol did not affect the outflow facility in mouse eyes and eyes from animals lacking TRPM4 had normal intraocular pressure. Collectively, our results show that TRPV4 activity initiates dynamic calcium signaling in TM cells by stimulating TRPM4 channels and intracellular Ca2+ release. It is possible that TRPV4-TRPM4 interactions downstream from the tensile and compressive impact of intraocular pressure contribute to homeostatic regulation and pathological remodeling within the conventional outflow pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Yarishkin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Tam T T Phuong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Felix Vazquez-Chona
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Jacques Bertrand
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah N Redmon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Christopher N Rudzitis
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States.,Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Monika Lakk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Jackson M Baumann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Marc Freichel
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eun-Mi Hwang
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Darryl Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Križaj
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States.,Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
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28
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McDowell CM, Kizhatil K, Elliott MH, Overby DR, van Batenburg-Sherwood J, Millar JC, Kuehn MH, Zode G, Acott TS, Anderson MG, Bhattacharya SK, Bertrand JA, Borras T, Bovenkamp DE, Cheng L, Danias J, De Ieso ML, Du Y, Faralli JA, Fuchshofer R, Ganapathy PS, Gong H, Herberg S, Hernandez H, Humphries P, John SWM, Kaufman PL, Keller KE, Kelley MJ, Kelly RA, Krizaj D, Kumar A, Leonard BC, Lieberman RL, Liton P, Liu Y, Liu KC, Lopez NN, Mao W, Mavlyutov T, McDonnell F, McLellan GJ, Mzyk P, Nartey A, Pasquale LR, Patel GC, Pattabiraman PP, Peters DM, Raghunathan V, Rao PV, Rayana N, Raychaudhuri U, Reina-Torres E, Ren R, Rhee D, Chowdhury UR, Samples JR, Samples EG, Sharif N, Schuman JS, Sheffield VC, Stevenson CH, Soundararajan A, Subramanian P, Sugali CK, Sun Y, Toris CB, Torrejon KY, Vahabikashi A, Vranka JA, Wang T, Willoughby CE, Xin C, Yun H, Zhang HF, Fautsch MP, Tamm ER, Clark AF, Ethier CR, Stamer WD. Consensus Recommendation for Mouse Models of Ocular Hypertension to Study Aqueous Humor Outflow and Its Mechanisms. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:12. [PMID: 35129590 PMCID: PMC8842499 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.2.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their similarities in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to humans, mice are a valuable model system to study the generation and mechanisms modulating conventional outflow resistance and thus intraocular pressure. In addition, mouse models are critical for understanding the complex nature of conventional outflow homeostasis and dysfunction that results in ocular hypertension. In this review, we describe a set of minimum acceptable standards for developing, characterizing, and utilizing mouse models of open-angle ocular hypertension. We expect that this set of standard practices will increase scientific rigor when using mouse models and will better enable researchers to replicate and build upon previous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M. McDowell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | | | - Michael H. Elliott
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Darryl R. Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | | | - J. Cameron Millar
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Markus H. Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa; Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Gulab Zode
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Ted S. Acott
- Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Michael G. Anderson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa; Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | | | - Jacques A. Bertrand
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terete Borras
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | | | - Lin Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - John Danias
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
| | - Michael Lucio De Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Faralli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Rudolf Fuchshofer
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Preethi S. Ganapathy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Samuel Herberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | | | - Peter Humphries
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon W. M. John
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Paul L. Kaufman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Kate E. Keller
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Mary J. Kelley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Integrative Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Ruth A. Kelly
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Krizaj
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Raquel L. Lieberman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Paloma Liton
- Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, James & Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Katy C. Liu
- Duke Eye Center, Duke Health, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Navita N. Lopez
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Weiming Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Timur Mavlyutov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Fiona McDonnell
- Duke Eye Center, Duke Health, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Gillian J. McLellan
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Philip Mzyk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Andrews Nartey
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Louis R. Pasquale
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Gaurang C. Patel
- Ophthalmology Research, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarreytown, New York, United States
| | | | - Donna M. Peters
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | | | - Ponugoti Vasantha Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Naga Rayana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Urmimala Raychaudhuri
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States
| | - Ester Reina-Torres
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruiyi Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Douglas Rhee
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Uttio Roy Chowdhury
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - John R. Samples
- Washington State University, Floyd Elson College of Medicine, Spokane, Washington, United States
| | | | - Najam Sharif
- Santen Inc., Emeryville, California, United States
| | - Joel S. Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States; Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, United States; Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Val C. Sheffield
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Cooper H. Stevenson
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Avinash Soundararajan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | | | - Chenna Kesavulu Sugali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Yang Sun
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Carol B. Toris
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | | | - Amir Vahabikashi
- Cell and Developmental Biology Department, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Janice A. Vranka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chen Xin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmin Yun
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Hao F. Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | | | - Abbot F. Clark
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - C. Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology; Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Duke Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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Jasien JV, Read AT, van Batenburg-Sherwood J, Perkumas KM, Ethier CR, Stamer WD, Samuels BC. Anterior Segment Anatomy and Conventional Outflow Physiology of the Tree Shrew (Tupaia belangeri). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:21. [PMID: 35040876 PMCID: PMC8764208 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.1.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Rodent and primate models are commonly used in glaucoma research; however, both have their limitations. The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is an emerging animal model for glaucoma research owing in part to having a human-like optic nerve head anatomy, specifically a collagenous load-bearing lamina. However, the anterior segment anatomy and function have not been extensively studied in the tree shrew. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide the first detailed examination of the anterior segment anatomy and aqueous outflow facility in the tree shrew. Methods Aqueous outflow dynamics were measured in five ostensibly normal eyes from three tree shrews using the iPerfusion system over a range of pressures. Gross histological assessment and immunohistochemistry were performed to characterize anterior segment anatomy and to localize several key molecules related to aqueous outflow. Results Anterior segment anatomy in tree shrews is similar to humans, demonstrating a scleral spur, a multilayered trabecular meshwork and a circular Schlemm's canal with a single lumen. Average outflow facility was 0.193 µL/min/mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 0.153-0.244), and was stable over time. Outflow facility was more similar between contralateral eyes (approximately 5% average difference) than between eyes of different animals. No significant dependence of outflow facility on time or pressure was detected (pressure-flow nonlinearity parameter of 0.01 (95% % confidence interval, -0.29 to 0.31 CI µL/min/mm Hg). Conclusions These studies lend support to the usefulness of the tree shrew as a novel animal model in anterior segment glaucoma and pharmacology research. The tree shrew's cost, load-bearing collagenous lamina cribrosa, and lack of washout or anterior chamber deepening provides a distinct experimental and anatomic advantage over the current rodent and nonhuman primate models used for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica V. Jasien
- Vision Science Graduate Program, School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - A. Thomas Read
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | | | - Kristin M. Perkumas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - C. Ross Ethier
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Brian C. Samuels
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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30
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Peng M, Margetts TJ, Sugali CK, Rayana NP, Dai J, Sharma TP, Raghunathan VK, Mao W. An ex vivo model of human corneal rim perfusion organ culture. Exp Eye Res 2022; 214:108891. [PMID: 34896309 PMCID: PMC8792355 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The human anterior segment perfusion culture model is a valuable tool for studying the trabecular meshwork (TM) and aqueous humor outflow in glaucoma. The traditional model relies on whole eye globes resulting in high cost and limited availability. Here, we developed a glue-based method which enabled us to use human corneal rims for perfusion culture experiments. Human corneal rim perfusion culture plates were 3D printed. Human corneal rims containing intact TM were attached and sealed to the plate using low viscosity and high viscosity glues, respectively. The human corneal rims were perfused using the constant flow mode, and the pressure changes were recorded using a computerized system. Outflow facility, TM stiffness, and TM morphology were evaluated. When perfused at rates from 1.2 to 3.6 μl/min, the outflow facility was 0.359 ± 0.216 μl/min/mmHg among 10 human corneal rims. The stiffness of the TM in naïve human corneal rim was similar to that of perfusion cultured human corneal rim. Also, the stiffness of TM of corneal rims perfused with dexamethasone was significantly higher than the control. Human corneal rims with glue contamination in the TM could be differentiated by high baseline intraocular pressure as well as high TM stiffness. Histology studies showed that the TM tissues perfused with plain medium appeared normal. We believed that our glued-based method is a useful tool and low-cost alternative to the traditional anterior segment perfusion culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peng
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Tyler J. Margetts
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Chenna Kesavulu Sugali
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Naga Pradeep Rayana
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Jiannong Dai
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Tasneem P. Sharma
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Vijay Krishna Raghunathan
- The Ocular Surface Institute, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Optometry, University of Houston,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
| | - Weiming Mao
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine
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31
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Primary cilia and the reciprocal activation of AKT and SMAD2/3 regulate stretch-induced autophagy in trabecular meshwork cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021942118. [PMID: 33753495 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021942118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of autophagy is one of the responses elicited by high intraocular pressure (IOP) and mechanical stretch in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. However, the mechanosensor and the molecular mechanisms by which autophagy is induced by mechanical stretch in these or other cell types is largely unknown. Here, we have investigated the mechanosensor and downstream signaling pathway that regulate cyclic mechanical stretch (CMS)-induced autophagy in TM cells. We report that primary cilia act as a mechanosensor for CMS-induced autophagy and identified a cross-regulatory talk between AKT1 and noncanonical SMAD2/3 signaling as critical components of primary cilia-mediated activation of autophagy by mechanical stretch. Furthermore, we demonstrated the physiological significance of our findings in ex vivo perfused eyes. Removal of primary cilia disrupted the homeostatic IOP compensatory response and prevented the increase in LC3-II protein levels in response to elevated pressure challenge, strongly supporting a role of primary cilia-mediated autophagy in regulating IOP homeostasis.
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32
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Toris CB, Gagrani M, Ghate D. Current methods and new approaches to assess aqueous humor dynamics. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2021.1902308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carol B. Toris
- Dept. Of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Dept. Of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Meghal Gagrani
- Dept. Of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Deepta Ghate
- Dept. Of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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33
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Madekurozwa M, Stamer WD, Reina-Torres E, Sherwood JM, Overby DR. The ocular pulse decreases aqueous humor outflow resistance by stimulating nitric oxide production. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C652-C665. [PMID: 33439773 PMCID: PMC8260357 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00473.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is not static, but rather oscillates by 2-3 mmHg because of cardiac pulsations in ocular blood volume known as the ocular pulse. The ocular pulse induces pulsatile shear stress in Schlemm's canal (SC). We hypothesize that the ocular pulse modulates outflow facility by stimulating shear-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by SC cells. We confirmed that living mice exhibit an ocular pulse with a peak-to-peak (pk-pk) amplitude of 0.5 mmHg under anesthesia. Using iPerfusion, we measured outflow facility (flow/pressure) during alternating periods of steady or pulsatile IOP in both eyes of 16 cadaveric C57BL/6J mice (13-14 weeks). Eyes were retained in situ, with an applied mean pressure of 8 mmHg and 1.0 mmHg pk-pk pressure amplitude at 10 Hz to mimic the murine heart rate. One eye of each cadaver was perfused with 100 µM L-NAME to inhibit NO synthase, whereas the contralateral eye was perfused with vehicle. During the pulsatile period in the vehicle-treated eye, outflow facility increased by 16 [12, 20] % (P < 0.001) relative to the facility measured during the preceding and subsequent steady periods. This effect was partly inhibited by L-NAME, where pressure pulsations increased outflow facility by 8% [4, 12] (P < 0.001). Thus, the ocular pulse causes an immediate increase in outflow facility in mice, with roughly one-half of the facility increase attributable to NO production. These studies reveal a dynamic component to outflow function that responds instantly to the ocular pulse and may be important for outflow regulation and IOP homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Madekurozwa
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ester Reina-Torres
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph M Sherwood
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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34
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De Ieso ML, Gurley JM, McClellan ME, Gu X, Navarro I, Li G, Gomez-Caraballo M, Enyong E, Stamer WD, Elliott MH. Physiologic Consequences of Caveolin-1 Ablation in Conventional Outflow Endothelia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:32. [PMID: 32940661 PMCID: PMC7500130 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.11.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Polymorphisms at the caveolin-1/2 locus are associated with glaucoma and IOP risk and deletion of caveolin-1 (Cav1) in mice elevates IOP and reduces outflow facility. However, the specific location/cell type responsible for Cav1-dependent regulation of IOP is unclear. We hypothesized that endothelial Cav1 in the conventional outflow (CO) pathway regulate IOP via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Methods We created a mouse with targeted deletion of Cav1 in endothelial cells (Cav1ΔEC) and evaluated IOP, outflow facility, outflow pathway distal vascular morphology, eNOS phosphorylation, and tyrosine nitration of iridocorneal angle tissues by Western blotting. Results Endothelial deletion of Cav1 resulted in significantly elevated IOP versus wild-type mice but not a concomitant decrease in outflow facility. Endothelial Cav1 deficiency did not alter the trabecular meshwork or Schlemm's canal morphology, suggesting that the effects observed were not due to developmental deformities. Endothelial Cav1 deletion resulted in eNOS hyperactivity, modestly increased protein nitration, and significant enlargement of the drainage vessels distal to Schlemm's canal. L-Nitro-arginine methyl ester treatment reduced outflow in Cav1ΔEC but not wild-type mice and had no effect on the size of drainage vessels. Endothelin-1 treatment decrease the outflow and drainage vessel size in both wild-type and Cav1ΔEC mice. Conclusions Our results suggest that hyperactive eNOS signaling in the CO pathway of both Cav1ΔEC and global Cav1 knockout mice results in chronic dilation of distal CO vessels and protein nitration, but that Cav1 expression in the trabecular meshwork is sufficient to rescue CO defects reported in global Cav1 knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L De Ieso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Jami M Gurley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Mark E McClellan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Xiaowu Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Iris Navarro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Guorong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Maria Gomez-Caraballo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Eric Enyong
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael H Elliott
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.,Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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35
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Li G, Lee C, Read AT, Wang K, Ha J, Kuhn M, Navarro I, Cui J, Young K, Gorijavolu R, Sulchek T, Kopczynski C, Farsiu S, Samples J, Challa P, Ethier CR, Stamer WD. Anti-fibrotic activity of a rho-kinase inhibitor restores outflow function and intraocular pressure homeostasis. eLife 2021; 10:60831. [PMID: 33783352 PMCID: PMC8009676 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are widely used as an ophthalmic medication. A common, sight-threatening adverse event of glucocorticoid usage is ocular hypertension, caused by dysfunction of the conventional outflow pathway. We report that netarsudil, a rho-kinase inhibitor, decreased glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension in patients whose intraocular pressures were poorly controlled by standard medications. Mechanistic studies in our established mouse model of glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension show that netarsudil both prevented and reduced intraocular pressure elevation. Further, netarsudil attenuated characteristic steroid-induced pathologies as assessed by quantification of outflow function and tissue stiffness, and morphological and immunohistochemical indicators of tissue fibrosis. Thus, rho-kinase inhibitors act directly on conventional outflow cells to prevent or attenuate fibrotic disease processes in glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension in an immune-privileged environment. Moreover, these data motivate the need for a randomized prospective clinical study to determine whether netarsudil is indeed superior to first-line anti-glaucoma drugs in lowering steroid-induced ocular hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Chanyoung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - A Thomas Read
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Jungmin Ha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States
| | - Megan Kuhn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Iris Navarro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Jenny Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Katherine Young
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Rahul Gorijavolu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Todd Sulchek
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States
| | | | - Sina Farsiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - John Samples
- Washington State University Floyd Elson School of Medicine, Spokane, United States
| | - Pratap Challa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - C Ross Ethier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
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36
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Jamal A, Mongelli MT, Vidotto M, Madekurozwa M, Bernardini A, Overby DR, De Momi E, Rodriguez Y Baena F, Sherwood JM, Dini D. Infusion Mechanisms in Brain White Matter and Their Dependence on Microstructure: An Experimental Study of Hydraulic Permeability. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:1229-1237. [PMID: 32931425 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2020.3024117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hydraulic permeability is a topic of deep interest in biological materials because of its important role in a range of drug delivery-based therapies. The strong dependence of permeability on the geometry and topology of pore structure and the lack of detailed knowledge of these parameters in the case of brain tissue makes the study more challenging. Although theoretical models have been developed for hydraulic permeability, there is limited consensus on the validity of existing experimental evidence to complement these models. In the present study, we measure the permeability of white matter (WM) of fresh ovine brain tissue considering the localised heterogeneities in the medium using an infusion-based experimental set up, iPerfusion. We measure the flow across different parts of the WM in response to applied pressures for a sample of specific dimensions and calculate the permeability from directly measured parameters. Furthermore, we directly probe the effect of anisotropy of the tissue on permeability by considering the directionality of tissue on the obtained values. Additionally, we investigate whether WM hydraulic permeability changes with post-mortem time. To our knowledge, this is the first report of experimental measurements of the localised WM permeability, also demonstrating the effect of axon directionality on permeability. This work provides a significant contribution to the successful development of intra-tumoural infusion-based technologies, such as convection-enhanced delivery (CED), which are based on the delivery of drugs directly by injection under positive pressure into the brain.
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37
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Kiessling D, Rennings C, Hild M, Lappas A, Dietlein TS, Roessler GF, Widder RA. Predictability of ab-interno trabeculectomy success in the subsequent eye: A contralateral eye comparison study. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 49:242-250. [PMID: 33550686 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine whether the outcome of the first eye may serve as a predictor for intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effectiveness in the second eye following bilateral ab interno trabeculectomy. METHODS This retrospective single-centre study included 168 eyes from 84 participants, who underwent combined Trabectome surgery with phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a hospital setting. The clinical endpoint was defined as either 'success' or 'failure' based on four separate scores at the longest follow-up time point: IOP at follow-up <21 mm Hg (Score A) or IOP < 18 mm Hg (Score B), without re-surgery and IOP reduction >20%; IOP ≤15 mm Hg without re-surgery and IOP reduction ≥40% (Score C); and the sole absence of re-surgery according to the discretion of the surgeon (Score D). RESULTS No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of first and second eyes. The frequency of success in the second eye after effective surgery in the first eye significantly exceeded that after prior failure. Within our analysis, the probability calculations determined a 75% chance of success following prior success for Score A. If surgery in the first eye failed, the chance of success in the subsequent eye was 37%. The corresponding probabilities were 79% and 32% for Score B, 56% and 9% for Score C, and 99% and 50% for Score D. CONCLUSION The results of our study offer a useful tool to assess the success of subsequent eye surgeries based on the outcome in the initial eye, owing to the high predictive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kiessling
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martinus-Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Corinna Rennings
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martinus-Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Hild
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martinus-Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Lappas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas S Dietlein
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gernot F Roessler
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martinus-Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Randolf A Widder
- Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martinus-Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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38
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Boazak EM, King R, Wang J, Chu CM, Toporek AM, Sherwood JM, Overby DR, Geisert EE, Ethier CR. Smarce1 and Tensin 4 Are Putative Modulators of Corneoscleral Stiffness. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:596154. [PMID: 33634081 PMCID: PMC7902041 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.596154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The biomechanical properties of the cornea and sclera are important in the onset and progression of multiple ocular pathologies and vary substantially between individuals, yet the source of this variation remains unknown. Here we identify genes putatively regulating corneoscleral biomechanical tissue properties by conducting high-fidelity ocular compliance measurements across the BXD recombinant inbred mouse set and performing quantitative trait analysis. We find seven cis-eQTLs and non-synonymous SNPs associating with ocular compliance, and show by RT-qPCR and immunolabeling that only two of the candidate genes, Smarce1 and Tns4, showed significant expression in corneal and scleral tissues. Both have mechanistic potential to influence the development and/or regulation of tissue material properties. This work motivates further study of Smarce1 and Tns4 for their role(s) in ocular pathology involving the corneoscleral envelope as well as the development of novel mouse models of ocular pathophysiology, such as myopia and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Boazak
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rebecca King
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cassandra M Chu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Aaron M Toporek
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph M Sherwood
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eldon E Geisert
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - C Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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39
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Zhu W, Hou F, Fang J, Bahrani Fard MR, Liu Y, Ren S, Wu S, Qi Y, Sui S, Read AT, Sherwood JM, Zou W, Yu H, Zhang J, Overby DR, Wang N, Ethier CR, Wang K. The role of Piezo1 in conventional aqueous humor outflow dynamics. iScience 2021; 24:102042. [PMID: 33532718 PMCID: PMC7829208 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the mainstay of glaucoma therapy. The trabecular meshwork (TM), the key tissue responsible for aqueous humor (AH) outflow and IOP maintenance, is very sensitive to mechanical forces. However, it is not understood whether Piezo channels, very sensitive mechanosensors, functionally influence AH outflow. Here, we characterize the role of Piezo1 in conventional AH outflow. Immunostaining and western blot analysis showed that Piezo1 is widely expressed by TM. Patch-clamp recordings in TM cells confirmed the activation of Piezo1-derived mechanosensitive currents. Importantly, the antagonist GsMTx4 for mechanosensitive channels significantly decreased steady-state facility, yet activation of Piezo1 by the specific agonist Yoda1 did not lead to a facility change. Furthermore, GsMTx4, but not Yoda1, caused a significant increase in ocular compliance, a measure of the eye's transient response to IOP perturbation. Our findings demonstrate a potential role for Piezo1 in conventional outflow, likely under pathological and rapid transient conditions. Piezo1 is functionally expressed in the TM, the most important tissue controlling IOP Suppression of mechanosensitive channel leads to a significant decrease in facility Our data suggest a role for Piezo in pathological situations and rapid IOP transients
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University & Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Fei Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jingwang Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
| | - Mohammad Reza Bahrani Fard
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, GA, USA
| | - Yani Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
| | - Shouyan Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shen Wu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Beijing 100730 China
| | - Yunkun Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
| | - Shangru Sui
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
| | - A Thomas Read
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, GA, USA
| | | | - Wei Zou
- School of Mechatronic Engineering, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
| | - Jingxue Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Beijing 100730 China
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Beijing 100730 China
| | - C Ross Ethier
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, GA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, 30332, GA, United States
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China.,Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China
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40
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Reina-Torres E, Boussommier-Calleja A, Sherwood JM, Overby DR. Aqueous Humor Outflow Requires Active Cellular Metabolism in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:45. [PMID: 32845955 PMCID: PMC7452856 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.10.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Conventional wisdom posits that aqueous humor leaves the eye by passive bulk flow without involving energy-dependent processes. However, recent studies have shown that active processes, such as cell contractility, contribute to outflow regulation. Here, we examine whether inhibiting cellular metabolism affects outflow facility in mice. Methods We measured outflow facility in paired enucleated eyes from C57BL/6J mice using iPerfusion. We had three Experimental Sets: ES1, perfused at 35°C versus 22°C; ES2, perfused with metabolic inhibitors versus vehicle at 35°C; and ES3, perfused at 35°C versus 22°C in the presence of metabolic inhibitors. Inhibitors targeted glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (2-deoxy-D-glucose, 3PO and sodium azide). We also measured adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in separate murine anterior segments treated like ES1 and ES2. Results Reducing temperature decreased facility by 63% [38%, 78%] (mean [95% confidence interval (CI)], n = 10 pairs; P = 0.002) in ES1 after correcting for changes in viscosity. Metabolic inhibitors reduced facility by 21% [9%, 31%] (n = 9, P = 0.006) in ES2. In the presence of inhibitors, temperature reduction decreased facility by 44% [29%, 56%] (n = 8, P < 0.001) in ES3. Metabolic inhibitors reduced anterior segment adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels by 90% [83%, 97%] (n = 5, P<<0.001), but reducing temperature did not affect ATP. Conclusions Inhibiting cellular metabolism decreases outflow facility within minutes. This implies that outflow is not entirely passive, but depends partly on energy-dependent cellular processes, at least in mice. This study also suggests that there is a yet unidentified mechanism, which is strongly temperature-dependent but metabolism-independent, that is necessary for nearly half of normal outflow function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Reina-Torres
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joseph M Sherwood
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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41
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Lee C, Li G, Stamer WD, Ethier CR. In vivo estimation of murine iris stiffness using finite element modeling. Exp Eye Res 2021; 202:108374. [PMID: 33253706 PMCID: PMC7855533 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The iris plays an important role in certain types of glaucoma, including primary angle-closure glaucoma and pigmentary glaucoma. Iris mechanics are also important in influencing trabecular meshwork deformation in response to intraocular pressure changes in some animal species. Although mice are widely used to study ocular disease, including glaucoma, the in vivo biomechanical properties of the murine iris are unknown. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to estimate murine iris biomechanical stiffness. We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the anterior segment of living mice (n = 13, age = 7.3 ± 3.2 [mean ± SD] months) at sequentially increasing IOP levels, observing IOP-dependent iris deformations. We then used an inverse finite element model to predict iris deformations under the same conditions, estimating iris stiffness by maximizing agreement between OCT data and numerical simulations. Our results show an in vivo murine iris stiffness of 96.1 ± 54.7 kPa (mean ± SD), which did not correlate with age but was dependent on gender. Our results further showed strong evidence of reverse pupillary block, with mean posterior chamber pressure remaining at approximately 12 mmHg even as anterior chamber pressure was set to much higher levels. Our approach to monitoring iris stiffness in vivo is applicable to study potential changes of iris stiffness in various pathophysiological conditions and thus has significant potential for clinical care of ocular disease involving iris biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanyoung Lee
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Guorong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - C Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Chae JJ, Jung JH, Zhu W, Gerberich BG, Bahrani Fard MR, Grossniklaus HE, Ethier CR, Prausnitz MR. Drug-Free, Nonsurgical Reduction of Intraocular Pressure for Four Months after Suprachoroidal Injection of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2001908. [PMID: 33511001 PMCID: PMC7816721 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Current treatments use drugs or surgery to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). In this study, a drug-free, nonsurgical method is developed that lowers IOP for 4 months without requiring daily patient adherence. The approach involves expanding the suprachoroidal space (SCS) of the eye with an in situ-forming hydrogel injected using a microneedle. This study tests the hypothesis that SCS expansion increases the drainage of aqueous humor from the eye via the unconventional pathway, which thereby lowers IOP. SCS injection of a commercial hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel reduces the IOP of normotensive rabbits for more than 1 month and an optimized HA hydrogel formulation enables IOP reduction for 4 months. Safety assessment by clinical ophthalmic examinations indicate the treatment is well tolerated. Histopathology shows minor hemorrhage and fibrosis at the site of injection. Further analysis by ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrates a strong correlation of IOP reduction with SCS expansion. Outflow facility measurements show no difference in pressure-dependent outflow by the conventional pathway between treated and untreated eyes, supporting the hypothesis. In conclusion, SCS expansion with an in situ-forming hydrogel can enable extended IOP reduction for treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma without drugs or surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Jeremy Chae
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Jae Hwan Jung
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical EngineeringDankook UniversityCheonan16890South Korea
| | - Wei Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
- Department of PharmacologySchool of PharmacyQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Brandon G. Gerberich
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
| | | | | | - C. Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Mark R. Prausnitz
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30332USA
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Yarishkin O, Phuong TTT, Baumann JM, De Ieso ML, Vazquez-Chona F, Rudzitis CN, Sundberg C, Lakk M, Stamer WD, Križaj D. Piezo1 channels mediate trabecular meshwork mechanotransduction and promote aqueous fluid outflow. J Physiol 2021; 599:571-592. [PMID: 33226641 PMCID: PMC7849624 DOI: 10.1113/jp281011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Trabecular meshwork (TM) is a highly mechanosensitive tissue in the eye that regulates intraocular pressure through the control of aqueous humour drainage. Its dysfunction underlies the progression of glaucoma but neither the mechanisms through which TM cells sense pressure nor their role in aqueous humour outflow are understood at the molecular level. We identified the Piezo1 channel as a key TM transducer of tensile stretch, shear flow and pressure. Its activation resulted in intracellular signals that altered organization of the cytoskeleton and cell-extracellular matrix contacts and modulated the trabecular component of aqueous outflow whereas another channel, TRPV4, mediated a delayed mechanoresponse. This study helps elucidate basic mechanotransduction properties that may contribute to intraocular pressure regulation in the vertebrate eye. ABSTRACT Chronic elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) can cause blindness by compromising the function of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in the anterior eye, but how these cells sense and transduce pressure stimuli is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate functional expression of two mechanically activated channels in human TM cells. Pressure-induced cell stretch evoked a rapid increase in transmembrane current that was inhibited by antagonists of the mechanogated channel Piezo1, Ruthenium Red and GsMTx4, and attenuated in Piezo1-deficient cells. The majority of TM cells exhibited a delayed stretch-activated current that was mediated independently of Piezo1 by TRPV4 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4) channels. Piezo1 functions as the principal TM transducer of physiological levels of shear stress, with both shear and the Piezo1 agonist Yoda1 increasing the number of focal cell-matrix contacts. Analysis of TM-dependent fluid drainage from the anterior eye showed significant inhibition by GsMTx4. Collectively, these results suggest that TM mechanosensitivity utilizes kinetically, regulatory and functionally distinct pressure transducers to inform the cells about force-sensing contexts. Piezo1-dependent control of shear flow sensing, calcium homeostasis, cytoskeletal dynamics and pressure-dependent outflow suggests potential for a novel therapeutic target in treating glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Yarishkin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tam T T Phuong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jackson M Baumann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michael L De Ieso
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Felix Vazquez-Chona
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Christopher N Rudzitis
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chad Sundberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Monika Lakk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David Križaj
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Cathepsin B Localizes in the Caveolae and Participates in the Proteolytic Cascade in Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Potential New Drug Target for the Treatment of Glaucoma. J Clin Med 2020; 10:jcm10010078. [PMID: 33379277 PMCID: PMC7795952 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the trabecular meshwork (TM) is one of the hallmarks of glaucoma, a group of human diseases and leading cause of permanent blindness. The molecular mechanisms underlying ECM deposition in the glaucomatous TM are not known, but it is presumed to be a consequence of excessive synthesis of ECM components, decreased proteolytic degradation, or both. Targeting ECM deposition might represent a therapeutic approach to restore outflow facility in glaucoma. Previous work conducted in our laboratory identified the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B (CTSB) to be expressed on the cellular surface and to be secreted into the culture media in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. Here, we further investigated the role of CTSB on ECM remodeling and outflow physiology in vitro and in CSTBko mice. Our results indicate that CTSB localizes in the caveolae and participates in the pericellular degradation of ECM in TM cells. We also report here a novel role of CTSB in regulating the expression of PAI-1 and TGFβ/Smad signaling in TM cells vitro and in vivo in CTSBko mice. We propose enhancing CTSB activity as a novel therapeutic target to attenuate fibrosis and ECM deposition in the glaucomatous outflow pathway.
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45
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Li G, Nottebaum AF, Brigell M, Navarro ID, Ipe U, Mishra S, Gomez-Caraballo M, Schmitt H, Soldo B, Pakola S, Withers B, Peters KG, Vestweber D, Stamer WD. A Small Molecule Inhibitor of VE-PTP Activates Tie2 in Schlemm's Canal Increasing Outflow Facility and Reducing Intraocular Pressure. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:12. [PMID: 33315051 PMCID: PMC7735951 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 2 (Tie2) activation in Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium is required for the maintenance of IOP, making the angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway a target for new and potentially disease modifying glaucoma therapies. The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of a Tie2 activator, AKB-9778, on IOP and outflow function. Methods AKB-9778 effects on IOP was evaluated in humans, rabbits, and mice. Localization studies of vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP), the target of AKB-9778 and a negative regulator of Tie2, were performed in human and mouse eyes. Mechanistic studies were carried out in mice, monitoring AKB-9778 effects on outflow facility, Tie2 phosphorylation, and filtration area of SC. Results AKB-9778 lowered IOP in patients treated subcutaneously for diabetic eye disease. In addition to efficacious, dose-dependent IOP lowering in rabbit eyes, topical ocular AKB-9778 increased Tie2 activation in SC endothelium, reduced IOP, and increased outflow facility in mouse eyes. VE-PTP was localized to SC endothelial cells in human and mouse eyes. Mechanistically, AKB-9778 increased the filtration area of SC for aqueous humor efflux in both wild type and in Tie2+/- mice. Conclusions This is the first report of IOP lowering in humans with a Tie2 activator and functional demonstration of its action in remodeling SC to increase outflow facility and lower IOP in fully developed mice. Based on these studies, a phase II clinical trial is in progress to advance topical ocular AKB-9778 as a first in class, Tie2 activator for treatment for ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | | | | | - Iris D. Navarro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ute Ipe
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sarthak Mishra
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maria Gomez-Caraballo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Heather Schmitt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Brandi Soldo
- Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Steve Pakola
- Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Barbara Withers
- Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Kevin G. Peters
- Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | | | - W. Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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Bertrand JA, Woodward DF, Sherwood JM, Wang JW, Overby DR. The role of EP 2 receptors in mediating the ultra-long-lasting intraocular pressure reduction by JV-GL1. Br J Ophthalmol 2020; 105:1610-1616. [PMID: 33239414 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A single application of JV-GL1 substantially lowers non-human primate intraocular pressure (IOP) for about a week, independent of dose. This highly protracted effect does not correlate with its ocular biodisposition or correlate with the once-daily dosing regimen for other prostanoid EP2 receptor agonists such as trapenepag or omidenepag. The underlying pharmacological mechanism for the multiday extended activity of JV-GL1 is highly intriguing. The present studies were intended to determine EP2 receptor involvement in mediating the long-term ocular hypotensive activity of JV-GL1 by using mice genetically deficient in EP2 receptors. METHODS The protracted IOP reduction produced by JV-GL1 was investigated in C57BL/6J and EP2 receptor knock-out mice (B6.129-Ptger2tm1Brey /J; EP2KO). Both ocular normotensive and steroid-induced ocular hypertensive (SI-OHT) mice were studied. IOP was measured tonometrically under general anaesthesia. Aqueous humour outflow facility was measured ex vivo using iPerfusion in normotensive C57BL/6J mouse eyes perfused with 100 nM de-esterified JV-GL1 and in SI-OHT C57BL/6J mouse eyes that had received topical JV-GL1 (0.01%) 3 days prior. RESULTS Both the initial 1-day and the protracted multiday effects of JV-GL1 in the SI-OHT model for glaucoma were abolished by deletion of the gene encoding the EP2 receptor. Thus, JV-GL1 did not lower IOP in SI-OHT EP2KO mice, but in littermate SI-OHT EP2WT control mice, JV-GL1 statistically significantly lowered IOP for 4-6 days. CONCLUSIONS Both the 1-day and the long-term effects of JV-GL1 on IOP are entirely EP2 receptor dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David F Woodward
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.,JeniVision Inc, Suite 200, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | - Jenny W Wang
- JeniVision Inc, Suite 200, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Cassidy PS, Kelly RA, Reina-Torres E, Sherwood JM, Humphries MM, Kiang AS, Farrar GJ, O'Brien C, Campbell M, Stamer WD, Overby DR, Humphries P, O'Callaghan J. siRNA targeting Schlemm's canal endothelial tight junctions enhances outflow facility and reduces IOP in a steroid-induced OHT rodent model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 20:86-94. [PMID: 33376757 PMCID: PMC7749298 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Systemic or localized application of glucocorticoids (GCs) can lead to iatrogenic ocular hypertension, which is a leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and visual impairment. Previous work has shown that dexamethasone increases zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, and that an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of ZO-1 can abolish the dexamethasone-induced increase in trans-endothelial flow resistance in cultured Schlemm’s canal (SC) endothelial and TM cells. We have previously shown that intracameral inoculation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting SC endothelial cell tight junction components, ZO-1 and tricellulin, increases aqueous humor outflow facility ex vivo in normotensive mice by reversibly opening SC endothelial paracellular pores. In this study, we show that targeted siRNA downregulation of these SC endothelial tight junctions reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in vivo, with a concomitant increase in conventional outflow facility in a well-characterized chronic steroid-induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, thus representing a potential focused clinical application for this therapy in a sight-threatening scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Cassidy
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruth A Kelly
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ester Reina-Torres
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Marian M Humphries
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna-Sophia Kiang
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - G Jane Farrar
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm O'Brien
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Pete Humphries
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey O'Callaghan
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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48
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Feola AJ, Sherwood JM, Pardue MT, Overby DR, Ethier CR. Age and Menopause Effects on Ocular Compliance and Aqueous Outflow. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:16. [PMID: 32407519 PMCID: PMC7405619 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.5.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Recent work suggests that estrogen and the timing of menopause play a role in modulating the risk of developing glaucoma. Menopause is known to cause modest changes in intraocular pressure; yet, whether this change is mediated through the outflow pathway remains unknown. Menopause also affects tissue biomechanical properties throughout the body; however, the impact of menopause on ocular biomechanical properties is not well characterized. Methods Here, we simultaneously assessed the impact of menopause on aqueous outflow facility and ocular compliance, as a measure of corneoscleral shell biomechanics. We used young (3-4 months old) and middle-aged (9-10 months old) Brown Norway rats. Menopause was induced by ovariectomy (OVX), and control animals underwent sham surgery, resulting in the following groups: young sham (n = 5), young OVX (n = 6), middle-aged sham (n = 5), and middle-aged OVX (n = 5). Eight weeks postoperatively, we measured outflow facility and ocular compliance. Results Menopause resulted in a 34% decrease in outflow facility and a 19% increase in ocular compliance (P = 0.011) in OVX animals compared with sham controls (P = 0.019). Conclusions These observations reveal that menopause affects several key physiological factors known to be associated with glaucoma, suggesting that menopause may contribute to an increased risk of glaucoma in women.
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Smith DW, Lee CJ, Gardiner BS. Estimating outflow facility parameters for the human eye using hypotensive pressure-time data. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238146. [PMID: 32841295 PMCID: PMC7447060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously developed a new theory for pressure dependent outflow from the human eye, and tested the model using experimental data at intraocular pressures above normal eye pressures. In this paper, we use our model to analyze a hypotensive pressure-time dataset obtained following application of a Honan balloon. Here we show that the hypotensive pressure-time data can be successfully analyzed using our proposed pressure dependent outflow model. When the most uncertain initial data point is removed from the dataset, then parameter estimates are close to our previous parameter estimates, but clearly parameter estimates are very sensitive to assumptions. We further show that (i) for a measured intraocular pressure-time curve, the estimated model parameter for whole eye surface hydraulic conductivity is primarily a function of the ocular rigidity, and (ii) the estimated model parameter that controls the rate of decrease of outflow with increasing pressure is primarily a function of the convexity of the monotonic pressure-time curve. Reducing parameter uncertainty could be accomplished using new technologies to obtain higher quality datasets, and by gathering additional data to better define model parameter ranges for the normal eye. With additional research, we expect the pressure dependent outflow analysis described herein may find applications in the differential diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of the glaucomatous eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Smith
- Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Chang-Joon Lee
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Bruce S. Gardiner
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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50
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Bertrand JA, Schicht M, Stamer WD, Baker D, Sherwood JM, Lütjen-Drecoll E, Selwood DL, Overby DR. The β4-Subunit of the Large-Conductance Potassium Ion Channel KCa1.1 Regulates Outflow Facility in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:41. [PMID: 32203982 PMCID: PMC7401454 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.3.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa1.1 (BKCa, maxi-K) influences aqueous humor outflow facility, but the contribution of auxiliary β-subunits to KCa1.1 activity in the outflow pathway is unknown. Methods Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we measured expression of β-subunit genes in anterior segments of C57BL/6J mice (Kcnmb1-4) and in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC) cells (KCNMB1-4). We also measured expression of Kcnma1/KCNMA1 that encodes the pore-forming α-subunit. Using confocal immunofluorescence, we visualized the distribution of β4 in the conventional outflow pathway of mice. Using iPerfusion, we measured outflow facility in enucleated mouse eyes in response to 100 or 500 nM iberiotoxin (IbTX; N = 9) or 100 nM martentoxin (MarTX; N = 12). MarTX selectively blocks β4-containing KCa1.1 channels, whereas IbTX blocks KCa1.1 channels that lack β4. Results Kcnmb4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in mouse conventional outflow tissues, expressed at a level comparable to Kcnma1. β4 was present within the juxtacanalicular TM, appearing to label cellular processes connecting to SC cells. Accordingly, KCNMB4 was the most highly expressed β-subunit in human TM cells, and the sole β-subunit in human SC cells. To dissect functional contribution, MarTX decreased outflow facility by 35% (27%, 42%; mean, 95% confidence interval) relative to vehicle-treated contralateral eyes, whereas IbTX reduced outflow facility by 16% (6%, 25%). Conclusions The β4-subunit regulates KCa1.1 activity in the conventional outflow pathway, significantly influencing outflow function. Targeting β4-containing KCa1.1 channels may be a promising approach to lower intraocular pressure to treat glaucoma.
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