Suppression of TGF-β1 signaling by Matrigel via FAK signaling in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells

AbstractThe trabecular meshwork (TM) is composed of TM cells and beams of the extracellular matrix, together contributing to aqueous humor (AH) outflow resistance. Herein, we validated that our culture system on 2D Matrigel expressed putative TM markers and myocilin, of which the latter was upregulated by dexamethasone. Continuous passage of these cells on 2D Matrigel resulted in a gradual loss of expression of these markers. However, such a loss was restored by seeding cells in 3D Matrigel where expression of TM markers was further upregulated upon continuous passage. In contrast, TM cells seeded on fibronectin, collagen I/IV, or laminin lost expression of these markers and turned into myofibroblasts with expression of αSMA, which were dose-dependently upregulated by TGF-β1/TGF-β2. TM cells in 3D Matrigel also expressed TGF-β1/TGF-β3 despite challenge of TGF-β1. The maintenance of TM phenotype by 3D Matrigel was linked to inhibition of canonical TGF-β signaling and activation of pFAK-pSrc-pP190RhoGAP-P120RasGAP signaling. These findings indicate that basement membrane matrix with low rigidity plays an active role in maintaining TM phenotype in the presence of TGF-β1 and shed light on its physiological role. Furthermore, abnormal matrices may perpetuate the pathological TM phenotype when the level of TGF-β2 is elevated in glaucoma patients.

Download Full-text

Effect of dexamethasone on the expression of MMPs, adenosine A1 receptors and NFKB by human trabecular meshwork cells

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0373 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Normie Aida Mohd Nasir ◽

Renu Agarwal ◽

Anna Krasilnikova ◽

Siti Hamimah Sheikh Abdul Kadir ◽

Igor Iezhitsa

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Western Blot ◽

Trabecular Meshwork ◽

Culture Media ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Adenosine A1 Receptors ◽

Trabecular Meshwork Cells ◽

Aqueous Humor Dynamics ◽

Nfkb Activation ◽

Adenosine A1

AbstractObjectivesSteroid-induced ocular hypertension and glaucoma are associated with extracellular matrix remodeling at the trabecular meshwork (TM) of the eye due to reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of enzymes regulating extracellular matrix proteolysis. Several biological functions of steroids are known to involve regulation of adenosine A1 receptors (A1AR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB). Since MMPs expression in TM has been shown to be regulated by A1AR as well as transcription factors, it is likely that dexamethasone-induced changes in aqueous humor dynamics involve reduced MMP and A1AR expression and reduced NFKB activation. Hence, the current study investigated the association of dexamethasone-induced reduction in MMP secretion with reduced NFKB activation and A1AR expression.MethodsHuman trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) were characterized by estimating myocilin and alpha smooth muscle actin expression and then were treated with dexamethasone 100 nM for 2, 5 and 7 days. The MMP secretion was estimated in culture media using Western blot. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and ELISA were done to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on NFKB phosphorylation. A1AR expression in HTMCs was determined using Western blot and ELISA.ResultsDexamethasone caused a significant reduction in both MMP-2 and -9 expression compared to untreated group after five and seven days but not after two days of culture. Significantly reduced phosphorylated NFKB and A1AR protein levels were detected in dexamethasone treated compared to vehicle treated HTMCs after five days of culture.ConclusionsDexamethasone reduces MMP-2 and -9 secretion by HTMCs and this effect of dexamethasone is associated with reduced NFKB phosphorylation and A1AR expression.

Download Full-text