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Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
Senescence in cultured trabecular meshwork cells.
Yukari Yamazaki1, Hiroshi Matsunaga, Maki Nishikawa
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|January 12, 2007
Summary
Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells showed signs of aging (senescence) after 16 population doublings in culture. This suggests cellular senescence may contribute to primary open-angle glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Ophthalmology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Replicative senescence is implicated in age-related disease pathophysiology.
- Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are crucial for maintaining intraocular pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the process of cellular senescence in TM cells in vitro.
- To determine if TM cells undergo senescence with increasing population doublings.
Main Methods:
- Porcine TM tissues were cultured and passaged serially.
- Cells were identified using DiI-Ac-LDL, a TM cell marker.
- Senescence was assessed via beta-galactosidase staining and terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length analysis at various population doubling levels (PDLs).
Main Results:
- Nearly 100% of cultured cells were identified as TM cells.
- TM cells exhibited senescence-related beta-galactosidase activity at PDL 16.
- A reduction in TRF length correlated with increasing PDL, indicating cellular aging.
Conclusions:
- Trabecular meshwork cells demonstrate senescence characteristics at PDL 16 in vitro.
- Cellular senescence in TM cells may be linked to the pathophysiology of primary open-angle glaucoma.

