Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:03
Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
10.4K
Time-dependent Glucocorticoid-Induced Transcriptomic Changes in Human Trabecular Meshwork and Schlemm's Canal
Sudeep Mehrotra1,2, Haven Jeanneret3, Kristin Perkumas4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Dexamethasone (DEX) alters gene expression in trabecular meshwork and Schlemm
Area of Science:
- Ocular biology
- Transcriptomics
- Glaucoma research
Background:
- Glucocorticoids, like dexamethasone (DEX), are widely used but can cause ocular hypertension.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying DEX-induced ocular hypertension in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal endothelial (SCE) cells are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptomic alterations induced by DEX in human TM and SCE cells using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq).
- To identify genes and pathways involved in DEX-induced changes relevant to intraocular pressure (IOP) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Main Methods:
- Human TM (n=10) and SCE (n=5) cell strains were treated with DEX (100nM) or vehicle for 1 hour, 6 hours, and 2 days.
- RNA-sequencing was performed, and differential gene expression analysis was conducted using DESeq2.
- Gene-set enrichment analysis and association testing with POAG and IOP were performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
Main Results:
- After 2-day DEX exposure, 857 DEGs were identified in TM cells and 2,086 in SCE cells.
- 411 genes were differentially expressed in both cell types, including significant upregulation of FKBP5 and FAM107A.
- DEGs were enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, and immune response; early response genes were linked to immune processes.
Conclusions:
- This study identifies key genes and pathways responsive to DEX in TM and SCE cells, providing insights into glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension.
- Candidate genes, such as LTBP2 and FAM105A, associated with IOP and POAG risk, were identified.
- The findings offer potential targets for future human genetic analyses related to ocular hypertension.
More Related Videos
13:47Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: June 3, 2018
9.8K
06:51Light-sheet Fluorescence Microscopy to Capture 4-Dimensional Images of the Effects of Modulating Shear Stress on the Developing Zebrafish Heart
Published on: August 10, 2018
8.8K
Related Concept Videos
01:31Translation
Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
02:28Leaky Scanning
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
01:28Forced Transdifferentiation
Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...