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Abstract #6305 Published in IGR 3-2
In vitro evaluation of reactive astrocyte migration, a component of tissue remodeling in glaucomatous optic nerve head
Tezel G; Hernandez MR; Wax MBGLIA 2001; 34: 178-189
In order to improve understanding of remodelling events in the glaucomatous optic nerve head, the migration of optic nerve head astrocytes was studied in vitro. Since elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important stress factor identified in glaucomatous eyes, optic nerve head astrocytes were incubated under physical stress created by elevated hydrostatic pressure. In addition, they were incubated in the presence of a chemical stimulus, lipolysaccharide (LPS). Migration of reactivated astrocytes in the presence of these stressors was examined using chambers in which cell migration through extracellular matrix-coated pores is only possible following proteolytic digestion of the matrix. The authors observed that the migratory ability of optic nerve head astrocytes was approximately four to six times greater following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure or LPS for up to 48 hours. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and tyrosine kinase were found to be involved in the signal transduction for activated migration of optic nerve head astrocytes in response to elevated hydrostatic pressure or LPS. In addition, the authors observed that the stress-induced migration of optic nerve head astrocytes, which is accompanied by proteolytic degradation, resulted in the formation of culture cavities containing mucopolysaccharides. These in vitro findings provide a clearer understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of characteristic tissue remodelling events that occur, in vivo, in the glaucomatous optic nerve head.
Dr G. Tezel, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. tezelg@vision.wustl.edu
Classification:
1.3 Pathogenesis (Part of: 1 General aspects)
2.14 Optic disc (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
