TRPV4 subserves physiological and pathological elevations in intraocular pressure.

Ocular hypertension (OHT) caused by mechanical stress and chronic glucocorticoid exposure reduces the hydraulic permeability of the conventional outflow pathway. It increases the risk for irreversible vision loss, yet healthy individuals experience nightly intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations without adverse lifetime effects. It is not known which pressure sensors regulate physiological vs. pathological OHT nor how they impact the permeability of the principal drainage pathway through the trabecular meshwork (TM). We report that OHT induced by the circadian rhythm, occlusion of the iridocorneal angle and glucocorticoids requires activation of TRPV4, a stretch-activated cation channel. Wild-type mice responded to nocturnal topical administration of the agonist GSK1016790A with IOP lowering, while intracameral injection of the agonist elevated diurnal IOP. Microinjection of TRPV4 antagonists HC067047 and GSK2193874 lowered IOP during the nocturnal OHT phase and in hypertensive eyes treated with steroids or injection of polystyrene microbeads. Conventional outflow-specific Trpv4 knockdown induced partial IOP lowering in mice with occluded iridocorneal angle and protected retinal neurons from pressure injury. Indicating a central role for TRPV4-dependent mechanosensing in trabecular outflow, HC067047 doubled the outflow facility in TM-populated steroid-treated 3D nanoscaffolds. Tonic TRPV4 signaling thus represents a fundamental property of TM biology as a driver of increased in vitro and in vivo outflow resistance. The TRPV4-dependence of OHT under conditions that mimic primary and secondary glaucomas could be explored as a novel target for glaucoma treatments.

ANGPTL7 and Its Role in IOP and Glaucoma.

Purpose: Loss-of-function variants in the ANGPTL7 gene are associated with protection from glaucoma and reduced intraocular pressure (IOP). We investigated the role of ANGPTL7 in IOP homeostasis and its potential as a target for glaucoma therapeutics. Methods: IOP, outflow facility, and outflow tissue morphology of Angptl7 knockout (KO) mice were assessed with and without dexamethasone (Dex). ANGPTL7 was quantified in conditioned media from human trabecular meshwork cells in response to Dex, in effluent from perfused human donor eyes, and in aqueous humor from human patients treated with steroids. Antibodies to ANGPTL7 were generated and tested in three-dimensional (3D) culture of outflow cells and perfused human donor eyes. Rabbits were injected intravitreally with a neutralizing antibody targeting ANGPTL7, and IOP was measured. Results: IOP was significantly elevated, but outflow facility and outflow tissue morphology were not different between Angptl7 KO mice and littermates. When challenged with Dex, IOP increased in wild-type but not Angptl7 KO mice. In human samples, increased ANGPTL7 was seen in the aqueous humor of patients treated with steroids, regardless of glaucoma status. Using 3D culture, recombinant ANGPTL7 decreased, and ANGPTL7-blocking antibodies increased hydraulic conductivity. Significantly, outflow facility increased in human eyes treated ex vivo with ANGPTL7-blocking antibodies, and IOP decreased for 21 days in rabbits after a single injection of blocking antibodies. Conclusions: Using multiple models, we have demonstrated that excess ANGPTL7 increases outflow resistance and IOP and that neutralizing ANGPTL7 has beneficial effects in both naïve and steroid-induced hypertensive eyes, thus motivating the development of ANGPTL7-targeting therapeutics for the treatment of glaucoma.

NCX 470 Reduces Intraocular Pressure More Effectively Than Lumigan in Dogs and Enhances Conventional and Uveoscleral Outflow in Non-Human Primates and Human Trabecular Meshwork/Schlemm's Canal Constructs.

Purpose: To determine NCX 470 (0.1%) and Lumigan® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, 0.01%-LUM) intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering activity after single or repeated (5 days) dosing along with changes in aqueous humor (AH) dynamics. Methods: Ocular hypotensive activity of NCX 470 and LUM was compared with vehicle (VEH) in Beagle dogs using TonoVet®. Non-human primates (NHP) and bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) human Trabecular Meshwork/Schlemm's Canal (HTM/HSC™) constructs exposed to transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGFß2) were used to monitor NCX 470 and LUM-induced changes in AH dynamics. Results: NCX 470 (30 µL/eye) showed greater IOP reduction compared with LUM (30 µL/eye) following single AM dosing [maximum change from baseline (CFBmax) = -1.39 ± 0.52, -6.33 ± 0.73, and -3.89 ± 0.66 mmHg (mean ± standard error of the mean) for VEH, NCX 470, and LUM, respectively]. Likewise, repeated 5 days daily dosing of NCX 470 resulted in lower IOP than LUM across the duration of the study (average IOP decrease across tests was -0.45 ± 0.22, -6.06 ± 0.15, and -3.60 ± 0.22 mmHg for VEH, NCX 470, and LUM, respectively). NCX 470 increased outflow facility (Cfl) in vivo in NHP (CflVEH = 0.37 ± 0.09 µL/min/mmHg and CflNCX470 = 0.64 ± 0.17 µL/min/mmHg) as well as in vitro (CHTM/HSC) in HTM/HSC constructs (CHTM/HSC_VEH = 0.47 ± 0.02 µL/min/mm2/mmHg and CHTM/HSC_NCX470 = 0.76 ± 0.03 µL/min/mm2/mmHg). In addition, NCX 470 increased uveoscleral outflow (FuVEH = 0.62 ± 0.26 µL/min and FuNCX470 = 1.53 ± 0.39 µL/min with episcleral venous pressure of 15 mmHg) leaving unaltered aqueous flow (AHFVEH = 2.03 ± 0.22 µL/min and AHFNCX470 = 1.93 ± 0.31 µL/min) in NHP. Conclusions: NCX 470 elicits greater IOP reduction than LUM following single or repeated dosing. Data in NHP and 3D-HTM/HSC constructs suggest that changes in Cfl and Fu account for the robust IOP-lowering effect of NCX 470.

Recreating the Trabecular Outflow Tissue on Implantable, Micropatterned, Ultrathin, Porous Polycaprolactone Scaffolds.

Glaucoma, where increased intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to damage to the optic nerve and loss of sight, is amongst the foremost causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In primary open angle glaucoma, the increased IOP is a result of the malfunctioning human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells' inability to properly regulate the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. A potential future treatment for glaucoma is to replace damaged HTM cells with a tissue-engineered substitute, thus restoring proper fluid outflow. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a versatile, biodegradable, and implantable material that is widely used for cell culture and tissue engineering. In this work, PCL scaffolds were lithographically fabricated using a sacrificial process to produce submicron-thick scaffolds with openings of specific sizes and shapes (e.g., grid, hexagonal pattern). The HTM cell growth on gelatin-coated PCL scaffolds was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, tetrazolium metabolic activity assay, and cytoskeletal organization of F-actin. Expression of HTM-specific markers and ECM deposition were assessed by immunocytochemistry and qPCR analysis. Gelatin-coated, micropatterned, ultrathin, porous PCL scaffolds with a grid pattern supported proper HTM cell growth, cytoskeleton organization, HTM-marker expression, and ECM deposition, demonstrating the feasibility of using these PCL scaffolds to tissue-engineer implantable, healthy ocular outflow tissue.

NCX 667, a Novel Nitric Oxide Donor, Lowers Intraocular Pressure in Rabbits, Dogs, and Non-Human Primates and Enhances TGFß2-Induced Outflow in HTM/HSC Constructs.

Purpose: NCX 667, a novel nitric oxide (NO) donor with an isomannide core, was characterized for its IOP-lowering ability in animal models of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Bioengineered human trabecular meshwork/Schlemm's canal (HTM/HSC) constructs were used to explore the mode of action. Methods: Ocular normotensive New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits (ONT-rabbits), spontaneously ocular hypertensive pigmented Dutch-belted rabbits (sOHT-rabbits), hypertonic saline (5%)-induced transient ocular hypertensive NZW rabbits (tOHT-rabbits), ocular normotensive Beagle dogs (ONT-dogs), and laser-induced ocular hypertensive cynomolgus monkeys (OHT-monkeys) were used. NCX 667 or vehicle (30 µL) was instilled in a crossover, masked fashion and intraocular pressure (IOP) measured before dosing (baseline) and for several hours thereafter. The ONT-rabbits were used for cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) determination in ocular tissues after ocular dosing with NCX 667. Transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGFß2) (2.5 ng/mL, six days)-treated HTM/HSC constructs were used to address changes in outflow facility. Results: NCX 667 resulted in robust and dose-dependent IOP decrease in all models used. Maximal IOP-lowering efficacy at 1% was -4.1 ± 0.6, -12.2 ± 2.7, -10.5 ± 2.0, -5.3 ± 0.8, and -6.6 ± 1.9 mmHg, respectively, in ONT-dogs, sOHT-rabbits, tOHT-rabbits, ONT-rabbits, and OHT-monkeys. In ONT-rabbits NCX 667 (1%) increased cGMP in aqueous humor (AH) but not in retina and iris/ciliary body. NCX 667 concentration-dependently increased outflow facility in TGFß2-treated HTM/HSC constructs (outflow facility, 0.10 ± 0.06 and 0.30 ± 0.10 µL/min/mmHg/mm2, respectively, in vehicle- and NCX 667-treated constructs). Conclusions: NCX 667 leads to robust IOP lowering in several animal models. Evidence in HTM/HSC constructs indicate that the IOP reduction likely results from NO-mediated increase of the conventional outflow pathway. Other mechanisms including changes in AH production and episcleral vein pressure may not be excluded at this time.

A Biomimetic, Stem Cell-Derived In Vitro Ocular Outflow Model.

Age-related human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cell loss is suggested to affect its ability to regulate aqueous humor outflow in the eye. In addition, disease-related HTM cell loss is suggested to lead to elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are promising autologous cell sources that can be used to restore the declining TM cell population and function. Previously, an in vitro HTM model is bioengineered for understanding HTM cell biology and screening of pharmacological or biological agents that affect trabecular outflow facility. In this study, it is demonstrated that human iPSC-derived TM cells cultured on SU-8 scaffolds exhibit HTM-like cell morphology, extracellular matrix deposition, and drug responsiveness to dexamethasone treatment. These findings suggest that iPSC-derived TM cells behave like primary HTM cells and can thus serve as reproducible and scalable cell sources when using this in vitro system for glaucoma drug screening and further understanding of outflow pathway physiology, leading to personalized medicine.

A bioengineering approach to Schlemm's canal-like stem cell differentiation for in vitro glaucoma drug screening.

Human Schlemm's canal (HSC) cells are critical for understanding outflow physiology and glaucoma etiology. However, primary donor cells frequently used in research are difficult to isolate. HSC cells exhibit both vascular and lymphatic markers. Human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) represent a potential source of HSC due to their capacity to differentiate into both vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, via VEGF-A and VEGF-C. Shear stress plays a critical role in maintaining HSC integrity, function, and PROX1 expression. Additionally, the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) microenvironment could provide cues for HSC-like differentiation. We hypothesize that subjecting ADSCs to VEGF-A or VEGF-C, shear stress, and co-culture with HTM cells could provide biological, mechanical, and cellular cues necessary for HSC-like differentiation. To test this hypothesis, effects of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and shear stress on ADSC differentiation were examined and compared to primary HSC cells in terms of cell morphology, and HSC marker expression using qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry analysis. Furthermore, the effect of co-culture with HTM cells on porous scaffolds on ADSC differentiation was studied. Treatment with VEGF-C under shear stress is effective in differentiating ADSCs into PROX1-expressing HSC-like cells. Co-culture with HTM cells on porous scaffolds leads to HTM/ADSC-derived HSC-like constructs that regulate through-flow and respond as expected to dexamethasone. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We successfully generated human Schlemm's canal (HSC) like cells from adipocyte-derived stem cells induced by biochemical and biomechanical cues as well as bioengineered human trabecular meshwork (HTM) on micropatterned, porous SU8 scaffolds. These stem cell-derived HSC-like cells co-cultured with HTM cells on SU8 scaffolds can regulate through-flow, and in particular, are responsive to steroid treatment as expected. These findings show that ADSC-derived HSC-like cells have the potential to recreate the ocular outflow pathway for in vitro glaucoma drug screening. To the best of our knowledge, it is the very first time to demonstrate derivation of Schlemm's canal-like cells from stem cells. It provides an important alternative source to primary Schlemm's canal cells that are very difficult to be isolated and cultured from human donors.

Consensus recommendations for trabecular meshwork cell isolation, characterization and culture.

Cultured trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are a valuable model system to study the cellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of conventional outflow resistance and thus intraocular pressure; and their dysfunction resulting in ocular hypertension. In this review, we describe the standard procedures used for the isolation of TM cells from several animal species including humans, and the methods used to validate their identity. Having a set of standard practices for TM cells will increase the scientific rigor when used as a model, and enable other researchers to replicate and build upon previous findings.

Trabodenoson, an Adenosine Mimetic With A1 Receptor Selectivity Lowers Intraocular Pressure by Increasing Conventional Outflow Facility in Mice.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the IOP-lowering effect of trabodenoson and the associated structural and functional changes in the trabecular meshwork (TM). Methods: Six independent cohorts of young and aged mice were exposed to three different topical once-a-day formulations of trabodenoson and eyes were compared to those treated with placebo drops. IOP was measured daily just before drug administration using rebound tonometry. Outflow facility was measured in enucleated eyes. Flow patterns and morphology of conventional outflow tissues were monitored using tracer beads and standard histology, respectively. In parallel, three-dimensional human TM tissue constructs (3D-HTM) were grown and used in experiments to test effect of trabodenoson on the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-14 plus MMP-2 activity. Results: Topical administration of trabodenoson significantly lowered IOP on every day tested, up to 7 days. After 2 days of treatment, outflow facility increased by 26% in aged mice and 30% overall (young and aged mice), which was significantly different from vehicle (P < 0.05). Outflow facility was 15% higher than controls after 7 days of treatment (P = 0.07). While gross morphology was not affected by treatment, the intensity of tracer bead distribution increased by day 7 (P = 0.05). Parallel experiments in 3D-HTM showed that trabodenoson treatment significantly increased MMP-2 activity and MMP-14 abundance, while decreasing fibronectin and collagen IV expression. Conclusions: Trabodenoson alters ECM turnover by TM cells and increases conventional outflow facility, which accounts for its ability to lower IOP in young and aged mice.

TGFß2-induced outflow alterations in a bioengineered trabecular meshwork are offset by a rho-associated kinase inhibitor.

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) cytokine family have long been associated with affecting several cellular functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. Of particular interest to this work, TGFß2 has been linked to most types of glaucomas as a potential fibrotic agent that can cause elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Given that the trabecular meshwork (TM) provides most of aqueous humor outflow resistance in the eye, an in vitro bioengineered human TM (HTM) model has been created and validated by analyzing effects of TGFß2 on transcellular pressure changes and outflow facility. These changes were correlated with several biological alterations induced by this cytokine, including ECM production and overexpression of HTM-marker myocillin. Furthermore, this TM model has been used to extend current knowledge of gene expression of cytokines involved in TGFß-induced ECM turnover over time. In particular, the ability for a ROCK-inhibitor to diminish the effect of TGFß on TM was demonstrated. This work supports the notion that anti-fibrotic activities of ROCK-inhibitors could counteract the elevation of IOP and increased strain observed in glaucomatous TM.

TRPV4 regulates calcium homeostasis, cytoskeletal remodeling, conventional outflow and intraocular pressure in the mammalian eye.

An intractable challenge in glaucoma treatment has been to identify druggable targets within the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway, which is thought to be regulated/dysregulated by elusive mechanosensitive protein(s). Here, biochemical and functional analyses localized the putative mechanosensitive cation channel TRPV4 to the plasma membrane of primary and immortalized human TM (hTM) cells, and to human and mouse TM tissue. Selective TRPV4 agonists and substrate stretch evoked TRPV4-dependent cation/Ca(2+) influx, thickening of F-actin stress fibers and reinforcement of focal adhesion contacts. TRPV4 inhibition enhanced the outflow facility and lowered perfusate pressure in biomimetic TM scaffolds populated with primary hTM cells. Systemic delivery, intraocular injection or topical application of putative TRPV4 antagonist prodrug analogs lowered IOP in glaucomatous mouse eyes and protected retinal neurons from IOP-induced death. Together, these findings indicate that TRPV4 channels function as a critical component of mechanosensitive, Ca(2+)-signaling machinery within the TM, and that TRPV4-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling regulates TM stiffness and outflow. Thus, TRPV4 is a potential IOP sensor within the conventional outflow pathway and a novel target for treating ocular hypertension.

Bioengineered glaucomatous 3D human trabecular meshwork as an in vitro disease model.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is mostly regulated by aqueous humor outflow through the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) and represents the only modifiable risk factor of glaucoma. The lack of IOP-modulating therapeutics that targets HTM underscores the need of engineering HTM for understanding the outflow physiology and glaucoma pathology in vitro. Using a 3D HTM model that allows for regulation of outflow in response to a pharmacologic steroid, a fibrotic state has been induced resembling that of glaucomatous HTM. This disease model exhibits HTM marker expression, ECM overproduction, impaired HTM cell phagocytic activity and outflow resistance, which represent characteristics found in steroid-induced glaucoma. In particular, steroid-induced ECM alterations in the glaucomatous model can be modified by a ROCK inhibitor. Altogether, this work presents a novel in vitro disease model that allows for physiological and pathological studies pertaining to regulating outflow, leading to improved understanding of steroid-induced glaucoma and accelerated discovery of new therapeutic targets. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1357-1368. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A sacrificial process for fabrication of biodegradable polymer membranes with submicron thickness.

A new sacrificial molding process using a single mask has been developed to fabricate ultrathin 2-dimensional membranes from several biocompatible polymeric materials. The fabrication process is similar to a sacrificial microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) process flow, where a mold is created from a material that can be coated with a biodegradable polymer and subsequently etched away, leaving behind a very thin polymer membrane. In this work, two different sacrificial mold materials, silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) and Liftoff Resist (LOR) were used. Three different biodegradable materials; polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA), were chosen as model polymers. We demonstrate that this process is capable of fabricating 200-500 nm thin, through-hole polymer membranes with various geometries, pore-sizes and spatial features approaching 2.5 µm using a mold fabricated via a single contact photolithography exposure. In addition, the membranes can be mounted to support rings made from either SU8 or PCL for easy handling after release. Cell culture compatibility of the fabricated membranes was evaluated with human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) seeded onto the ultrathin porous membranes, where the cells grew and formed confluent layers with well-established cell-cell contacts. Furthermore, human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) cultured on these scaffolds showed similar proliferation as on flat PCL substrates, further validating its compatibility. All together, these results demonstrated the feasibility of our sacrificial fabrication process to produce biocompatible, ultra-thin membranes with defined microstructures (i.e., pores) with the potential to be used as substrates for tissue engineering applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1192-1201, 2016.

A biomimetic Schlemm's canal inner wall: A model to study outflow physiology, glaucoma pathology and high-throughput drug screening.

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, frequently leading to blindness. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, which is expected to affect 80 million people by 2020, causing bilateral blindness in over 10 million individuals. Because pathological changes to Schlemm's canal (SC) may account for significant resistance to outflow, there is considerable interest in characterizing and evaluating the Schlemm's canal as a target for glaucoma therapeutics. In conventional, two-dimensional culture, human Schlemm's canal (HSC) cells lose spatial, mechanical and biochemical cues, resulting in altered gene expression and cell signaling than observed in vivo, compromising the clinical relevance of data obtained from such systems. Here, we report, for the first time, that 3D culture of HSC cells on microfabricated scaffolds with defined physical and biochemical cues, rescued expression of key HSC markers, VE-cadherin and PECAM1, and mediated pore formation, crucial for the Schlemm's canal regulation of IOP. We demonstrated that following treatment with the glaucopathogenic agent, TGF-ß2, HSC cells undergo an endothelial-mesenchymal transition, which together with the increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins might account for the decrease in outflow facility observed in patients with high TGF-ß2 levels in their aqueous humor. We also demonstrated that unlike 2D cultures, 3D cultures of HSC cells are amenable to gene transfer. Thus, our data imply that 3D culture of HSC cells may be used as a platform to advance our understanding of HSC physiology and pathology and as a model for high-throughput drug and gene screening.

Recreating a human trabecular meshwork outflow system on microfabricated porous structures.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, resulting from an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP is the only modifiable risk factor of glaucoma and is controlled by the outflow of the aqueous humor through the human trabecular meshwork (HTM). Currently, the lack of a proper in vitro HTM model impedes advances in understanding outflow physiology and discovering effective IOP-lowering anti-glaucoma therapeutics. Therefore, we designed and constructed an in vitro HTM model using micropatterned, porous SU-8 scaffolds, which support cells to recapitulate functional HTM morphology and allow the study of outflow physiology. The pore size of SU-8 scaffolds, surface coating, cell seeding density, and culture duration were evaluated for HTM cell growth. The bioengineered HTM was characterized by F-actin staining and immunocytochemistry of HTM markers. A stand-alone perfusion chamber with an integrated pressure sensing system was further constructed and used for the investigation of the outflow facility of the bioengineered HTM treated with latrunculin B-an IOP lowering agent. Cells in the in vitro model exhibited HTM-like morphology, expression of α-smooth muscle actin, myocilin, and αß-crystallin, outflow characteristics and drug responsiveness. Altogether, we have developed an in vitro HTM model system for understanding HTM cell biology and screening of pharmacological or biological agents that affect trabecular outflow facility, expediting discovery of IOP-lowering, anti-glaucoma therapeutics.