latrunculin-b and Glaucoma

The compliance of the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) has been shown to dramatically stiffen in glaucomatous patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of substratum stiffness and latrunculin-B (Lat-B) on the expression and activity of the mechanotransducers, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding domain (TAZ), in primary HTM cells as the cells start to recover from Lat-B treatment. Primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were cultured on hydrogels possessing stiffness values mimicking those found in normal (5 kPa) and glaucomatous meshworks (75 kPa), or tissue culture polystyrene (TCP; >1 GPa). Cells were treated with 2.0 μM Lat-B in DMSO or DMSO alone. RT-PCR was used to determine the impact of substratum stiffness and/or Lat-B treatment on the expression of YAP, TAZ, 14-3-3σ, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Immunoblotting was used to determine the expression of YAP and TAZ as well as the phosphorylation status of YAP. Immunofluorescence was used to determine YAP protein localization. YAP and TAZ mRNA expression were upregulated on the 75 kPa hydrogels in comparison to the 5 kPa hydrogels and TCP. Treatment with Lat-B resulted in a rapid and dramatic downregulation of YAP and TAZ on the 75 kPa hydrogels. On hydrogels, Lat-B treatment increased the phosphorylation of YAP at S127, while decreasing it on TCP. Similarly, Lat-B treatment resulted in markedly decreased nuclear localization of YAP on the hydrogels but elevated nuclear localization on TCP. Lat-B treatment of HTM cells on the 75 kPa hydrogels also increased 14-3-3σ mRNA, a protein important in YAP/TAZ degradation. In addition, Lat-B treatment decreased CTGF and PAI-1 mRNA on the 75 kPa hydrogels. In conclusion, substratum stiffness alters YAP/TAZ expression and YAP localization in primary HTM cells which then may modulate the expression of extracellular matrix proteins important in glaucoma. During the recovery period after Lat-B treatment, gene expression changes are more dramatic on substrates with stiffness similar to glaucomatous meshwork. Use of these hydrogels may more accurately reflect the alterations occurring in HTM cells in glaucoma after treatment with this drug.

Topics: 14-3-3 Proteins; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Biomarkers, Tumor; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cells, Cultured; Connective Tissue Growth Factor; Down-Regulation; Exonucleases; Exoribonucleases; Extracellular Matrix; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Gene Expression Regulation; Glaucoma; Humans; Immunoblotting; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Thiazolidines; Trabecular Meshwork; Trans-Activators; Transcription Factors; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins; Uvea; YAP-Signaling Proteins

To determine the impact of substratum stiffness and latrunculin-B (Lat-B), on the expression of several matrix proteins that are associated with glaucoma.. Human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were cultured on hydrogels possessing stiffness values mimicking those found in normal (5 kPa) and glaucomatous meshworks (75 kPa), or tissue culture polystyrene (TCP; >1 GPa). Cells were treated with 2.0 μM Lat-B in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or DMSO alone. RT-PCR was used to determine the impact of substratum stiffness and/or Lat-B treatment on the expression of secreted protein, acidic, cysteine rich (SPARC), myocilin, angiopoietin-like factor (ANGPTL)-7, and transglutaminase (TGM)-2. Immunofluorescence was used to assess changes in protein expression.. SPARC and myocilin mRNA expression were dramatically increased on the 75 kPa hydrogels and decreased on the 5 kPa hydrogels in comparison to TCP. In contrast, ANGPTL-7 mRNA and TGM-2 mRNA was decreased on the 75 kPa and 5 kPa hydrogels, respectively, in comparison with TCP. Treatment with Lat-B dramatically downregulated both SPARC and myocilin on 75 kPa hydrogels. In contrast, cells grown on TCP produced greater or similar amounts of SPARC and myocilin mRNA after Lat-B treatment. SPARC and myocilin protein expression paralleled changes in mRNA expression.. Substratum stiffness impacts HTM matrix gene and protein expression and modulates the impact of Lat-B treatment on the expression of these matrix proteins. Integrating the use of biologically relevant substratum stiffness in the conduction of in vitro experiments gives important insights into HTM cell response to drugs that may more accurately predict responses observed in vivo.

Topics: Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Eye Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation; Glaucoma; Glycoproteins; Humans; Marine Toxins; Osteonectin; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Thiazolidines; Trabecular Meshwork

Glaucoma is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, which can lead to vision loss and is associated with irreversible damage to retinal ganglion cells. Although the mechanism of disease onset remains unknown, we have recently demonstrated that the stiffness of the ocular trabecular meshwork (HTM) increases dramatically in human donor eyes with a history of glaucoma. Here we report that polyacrylamide hydrogels, which mimic the compliant conditions of normal and glaucomatous HTM, profoundly modulate cytoskeletal dynamics and the elastic modulus of the overlying HTM cells. Substratum compliance also modulates HTM cell response to Latrunculin-B, a cytoskeletal disrupting agent currently in human clinical trials for the treatment of glaucoma. Additionally, we observed a compliance-dependent rebound effect of Latrunculin-B with an unexpected increase in HTM cell elastic modulus being observed upon withdrawal of the drug. The results predict that cytoskeletal disrupting drugs may be more potent in advanced stages of glaucoma.

Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Biophysical Phenomena; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cell Adhesion; Cell Shape; Cell Survival; Elastic Modulus; Glaucoma; Humans; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Thiazolidines; Trabecular Meshwork

To determine the impact of substratum compliance and latrunculin-B (Lat-B), both alone and together, on fundamental human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cell behavior. Lat-B is a reversible actin cytoskeleton disruptor that decreases resistance to aqueous humor outflow and decreases intraocular pressure.. HTM cells were cultured on polyacrylamide hydrogels possessing values for compliance that mimic those reported for normal and glaucomatous HTM, or tissue culture plastic (TCP). Cells were treated with 0.2 μM or 2.0 μM Lat-B in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or DMSO alone. The impact of substratum compliance and/or Lat-B treatment on cell attachment, proliferation, surface area, aspect ratio, and migration were investigated.. HTM cells had profoundly decreased attachment and proliferation rates when cultured on hydrogels possessing compliance values that mimic those found for healthy HTM. The effect of Lat-B treatment on HTM cell surface area was less for cells cultured on more compliant hydrogels compared with TCP. HTM cell migration was increased on stiffer hydrogels that mimic the compliance of glaucomatous HTM and on TCP in comparison with more compliant hydrogels. Lat-B treatment decreased cellular migration on all surfaces for at least 7 hours after treatment.. Substratum compliance profoundly influenced HTM cell behaviors and modulated the response of HTM cells to Lat-B. The inclusion of substratum compliance that reflects healthy or glaucomatous HTM results in cell behaviors and responses to therapeutic agents in vitro that may more accurately reflect in vivo conditions.

Topics: Acrylic Resins; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeleton; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Glaucoma; Humans; Hydrogels; Marine Toxins; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Thiazolidines; Trabecular Meshwork

To determine if low doses of topical latrunculin B (LAT-B) will increase outflow facility and decrease intraocular pressure without damaging the cornea and if they will inhibit miotic and accommodative responses to pilocarpine in monkeys.. We measured intraocular pressure (Goldmann tonometry) before and after 1 and 9 doses of 0.005% and 0.01% topical LAT-B and vehicle given twice daily on successive weeks; outflow facility (perfusion) following 15 doses; central corneal thickness (ultrasonic pachymetry) before and after 1 and 9 doses of 0.01% LAT-B and vehicle; pupillary diameter (calipers); and accommodation (refractometry) before and after 1 dose of 0.005% and 0.02% LAT-B.. Latrunculin-B dose-dependently decreased intraocular pressure, multiple doses more than a single dose. Maximal mean +/- SEM hypotension after 1 dose was 2.5 +/- 0.3 mm Hg (0.005% LAT-B; n = 8; P<.001) or 2.7 +/- 0.6 mm Hg (0.01% LAT-B; n = 8; P<.005); maximal mean +/- SEM hypotension after 9 doses was 3.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg (0.005% LAT-B; n = 8; P<.001) or 4.4 +/- 0.6 mm Hg (0.01% LAT-B; n = 8; P<.001). Outflow facility was increased by mean +/- SEM 75% +/- 13% (n = 7; P<.005). Central corneal thickness was not changed after 1 or 9 doses of 0.01% LAT-B. Miotic and accommodative responses to intramuscular pilocarpine were dose-dependently inhibited. With 0.02% LAT-B, inhibition of miosis was substantial, whereas the inhibition of accommodation was only about 25%. With 0.005% LAT-B, the effects were trivial.. In ocular normotensive monkeys, 0.005% and 0.01% LAT-B administered topically increases outflow facility and/or decreases intraocular pressure without corneal effects. Multiple doses reduce intraocular pressure more than a single dose. Latrunculin-B dose-dependently relaxes the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle, with some separation of miotic and accommodative effects. Clinical Relevance Multiple treatments with low topical doses of LAT-B may substantially reduce outflow resistance in eyes with glaucoma without adversely affecting the cornea.

Topics: Accommodation, Ocular; Administration, Topical; Animals; Anterior Chamber; Aqueous Humor; Blood Pressure; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cornea; Female; Glaucoma; Intraocular Pressure; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Pilocarpine; Pupil; Sympatholytics; Thiazoles; Thiazolidines