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Abstract #20025 Published in IGR 9-4
What increases outflow resistance in primary open-angle glaucoma?
Tamm ER; Fuchshofer RSurvey of Ophthalmology 2007; 52: S101-104
Intraocular pressure, the most critical risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma is generated in the trabecular meshwork outflow pathways, which provide resistance to aqueous humor outflow. The resistance is increased in primary open-angle glaucoma, and changes in the quality and amount of the extracellular matrix in the juxtacanalicular region of the trabecular meshwork appear to be causatively involved. The extracellular matrix changes are very likely under control of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2), which is found at high concentrations in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Additional factors are thrombospondin-1, which activates TGF-β2 in vivo, and connective tissue growth factor, which is an important downstream mediator of the effects of TGF-β2 on trabecular meshwork extracellular matrix turnover. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) strongly antagonizes fibrogenic actions of TGF-β2 on human trabecular meshwork cells, indicating that a pharmacological modulation of BMP-7 signalling might be a promising strategy to treat primary open-angle glaucoma.
Dr. E.R. Tamm, Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Germany
Classification:
2.6.2.1 Trabecular meshwork (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma > 2.6 Aqueous humor dynamics > 2.6.2 Outflow)
