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1 From the Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center; and 2 Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
PURPOSE. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of Rho kinase in the modulation of aqueous humor outflow facility. Rho kinase, a critical downstream effector of Rho GTPase is recognized to control the formation of actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, and cellular contraction.
METHODS. Expression of Rho GTPase, Rho kinase, and other downstream targets of Rho GTPase were determined in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) and Schlemms canal (SC) primary cell cultures by Western blot analysis. The Rho kinasespecific inhibitor (Y-27632)-induced changes in actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, and protein phosphotyrosine status were evaluated by staining with rhodamine-phalloidin, anti-paxillin, and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, respectively. Myosin light-chain phosphorylation was determined by Western blot analysis. Y-27632-induced changes in SC cell monolayer permeability were quantitated using a colorimetric assay to evaluate horseradish peroxidase diffusion through SC cell monolayers grown in transwell chambers. Aqueous humor outflow facility was measured using enucleated porcine eyes and a constant-pressure perfusion system.
RESULTS. Treatment of HTM and SC cells with Y-27632 (10 µM) led to significant but reversible changes in cell shape and decreases in actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, and protein phosphotyrosine staining. SC cell monolayer permeability increased (by 80%) in response to Y-27632 (10 µM) treatment, whereas myosin light-chain phosphorylation was decreased in both HTM and SC cells. Aqueous humor outflow facility increased (40%80%) in enucleated porcine eyes perfused with Y-27632 (10100 µM), and this effect was associated with widening of the extracellular spaces, particularly the optically empty area of the juxtacanalicular tissue (JCT). The integrity of inner wall of aqueous plexi, however, was observed to be intact.
CONCLUSIONS. Based on the Rho kinase inhibitor-induced changes in myosin light-chain phosphorylation and actomyosin organization, it is reasonable to conclude that cellular relaxation and loss of cellsubstratum adhesions in HTM and SC cells could result in either increased paracellular fluid flow across Schlemms canal or altered flow pathway through the JCT, thereby lowering resistance to outflow. This study also suggests Rho kinase as a potential therapeutic target for the development of drugs to modulate intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
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