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Age-related changes in trabecular cells in vitro
B J Tripathi1, T Li, J Li
1University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, USA.
Experimental Eye Research
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Serial passaging of porcine trabecular cells in vitro altered cell morphology and significantly increased extracellular matrix proteins, including type VI collagen, thrombospondin, and fibronectin, offering an aging model.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Trabecular cells form the trabecular meshwork, crucial for regulating intraocular pressure.
- Understanding age-related changes in trabecular cells is vital for glaucoma research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in porcine trabecular cell morphology and extracellular matrix protein expression during serial passaging in vitro.
- To establish a cellular model for studying age-related changes in the trabecular meshwork.
Main Methods:
- Serial culturing of porcine trabecular cells from young animals.
- Morphological analysis using light microscopy and time-lapse micrography.
- Biochemical analysis of extracellular matrix proteins via SDS-PAGE, silver staining, and immunoblotting with specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Passaged trabecular cells shifted from a flattened to an epithelioid shape.
- Significant increases in type VI collagen (20.5-fold), thrombospondin (6-fold), and fibronectin (5-fold) were observed in tertiary cultures compared to primary cultures.
- Laminin was not detectable in passaged cells.
Conclusions:
- In vitro aging of porcine trabecular cells leads to distinct morphological and biochemical changes.
- These in vitro changes mimic aspects of aging observed in the human trabecular meshwork in vivo.
- This model provides a controlled environment for investigating age-related trabecular meshwork dysfunction.