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Abstract #50219 Published in IGR 14-2
Elevated Levels of RhoA in the Optic Nerve Head of Human Eyes with Glaucoma
Goldhagen B; Proia AD; Epstein DL; Rao PVJournal of Glaucoma 2012; 21: 530-538
PURPOSE: To determine changes in the expression profile of RhoA and Rho kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) in the aqueous humor outflow pathway and optic nerve head (ONH) of human eyes with or without glaucoma to explore their potential involvement in glaucoma pathophysiology. METHODS: Age-matched paraffin-embedded postmortem eyes from patients with or without glaucoma were stained immunohistochemically using polyclonal antibodies raised against RhoA, ROCK-1, and ROCK-2. The intensity of the immunostaining in the aqueous humor outflow pathway and the ONH was graded by 4 individuals who were masked concerning whether the eyes were from normal individuals or those with glaucoma. RESULTS: Both normal eyes and those with glaucoma showed a positive staining for RhoA, ROCK-1, and ROCK-2 in the trabecular meshwork, ciliary muscle, and ONH. There was a significant increase in the RhoA protein levels in the glaucomatous ONH compared with the age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of RhoA in the ONH of glaucomatous eyes suggest possible involvement of RhoA in the pathophysiology of glaucoma.
Departments of *Ophthalmology †Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.
Full articleClassification:
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
3.9 Pathophysiology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
3.8 Pharmacology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
