[The progress of studies on aqueous humor dynamics abnormality induced by trabecular meshwork and Schlemm canal endothelial cell senescence and its relation with glaucoma]

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world next to cataract. Aging is a strong risk factor leading to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP is associated with aqueous humor circulation. Trabecular meshwork cells and Schlemm canal endothelial cells, which form the conventional outflow pathway, play an important role in maintaining the IOP. Cell senescence induces abnormalities of the aqueous humor dynamics, leading to elevated IOP. Trabecular meshwork cells cause increased intrinsic stiffness, autophagy dysfunction, abnormal expression of microRNA and mitochondrial dysfunction with senescence. The senescence of Schlemm canal endothelial cells decreases cell permeability and mechanotransduction and disrupts the endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. The changes will increase aqueous humor outflow resistance and elevate IOP. This review discusses how cell senescence induces aqueous humor dynamics abnormalities and the relation with glaucoma. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 868-873).