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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: June 3, 2018
Transcriptomic Profiling of High vs. Low Flow Regions of Mouse and Human Trabecular Meshwork
Cydney A Wong1,2, A Thomas Read1, Micah Chrenek2
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|August 1, 2026
Summary
High and low aqueous humor outflow regions in the trabecular meshwork (TM) show distinct molecular profiles. Understanding these differences in TM tissue can help regulate intraocular pressure (IOP) and inform glaucoma treatments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Aqueous humor outflow via the trabecular meshwork (TM) is not uniform, with distinct high-flow (HF) and low-flow (LF) regions.
- Understanding the molecular basis of these regional differences is crucial for regulating intraocular pressure (IOP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate transcriptomic differences between HF and LF regions in human and mouse TM tissue.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying segmental aqueous humor outflow and IOP regulation.
Main Methods:
- Spatial transcriptomic profiling of HF and LF regions from human and mouse TM.
- Differential gene expression and pathway analysis.
- Validation of selected targets using immunolabeling.
Main Results:
- Identified differentially expressed genes in human TM, including ADAM15, VIM, CHI3L1, FOS, JUNB, and ESR1.
- Enriched pathways related to epigenetic modifications in human HF vs. LF TM.
- Myocilin was upregulated in HF regions in both species; Rho-kinase signaling was enriched in LF regions, while cell stress and TNF-α signaling were increased in HF regions.
Conclusions:
- HF TM regions exhibit a more active stress response facilitating outflow, while LF regions show increased matrix accumulation and contractility.
- Characterizing segmental TM flow regions provides insights for developing targeted therapies to reduce IOP and manage glaucoma.
