[The possibility of selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitors as a medical treatment for glaucoma].
|
| Abstract |
Some of the cytokines and growth factors in the aqueous humor activate Rho, and the Rho/ROCK signal transduction participates in signaling pathways via rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton that leads to various cellular reactions. In a previous study, we demonstrated that a selective ROCK inhibitor significantly reduced intraocular pressure, the mechanism of which was attributed to improved outflow. ROCK inhibitors induced the actomyosin assembly, cell adhesive interactions, and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in cultured TM cells. The inhibition of Rho also has been implicated in pathological wound healing by regulating neovascularization, migration, and ECM in scar tissue. In this study, we investigated the role of ROCK inhibitor in regulating human Tenon fibroblast (HTF) activity and postoperative scar formation in a rabbit sclerostomy model. ROCK inhibitor showed decreased aSMA expression in HTF, and prevented enhanced contractility, assembly of actin stress fibers, and myofibroblastic transdifferentiation. In vivo sclerostomy studies showed that the bleb survival was significantly improved in ROCK inhibitor-treated eyes. In another study by us, ROCK inhibitor showed neuroprotective effects against rat retinal ischemia reperfusion injury. Collectively, ROCK inhibitors are thus a potential new strategy for developing medical therapy for glaucomatous dis-
|
|---|---|
| Authors | Megumi Honjo |
| Journal | Nippon Ganka Gakkai zasshi (Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 113 Issue 11 Pg. 1071-81 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 0029-0203 [Print] Japan |
| PMID | 19994585 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review) |
| Chemical References |
|
| Topics |
|
Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!