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Dai et al. (1386) present the results of their investigation into the col 1A transgenic mice which have previously been reported to have an elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP). These mice have an abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix in the juxtacanalicular region of these mice which was theorized to be the mechanism of the elevated IOP. In this report, the authors found that these mice have a decrease in outflow facility. This provides further support for the link between alterations of extracellular matrix causing decreased aqueous drainage and elevated IOP. As the transgenic mice have naturally occurring elevations of IOP, they have utility as an experimental model system for glaucoma.
Interestingly, the elevation in of IOP normalizes with normalization of the outflow resistance as the mice age. Further study into the compensatory mechanisms may elucidate new pathways for treatment.