Abstract
Purpose: :
The matricellular protein Testican-1 has an inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinases in non-ocular tissue. It is unknown if Testican-1 is present in the outflow pathways. We hypothesized that Testican-1 would be found in the relevant drainage tissues.
Methods: :
Cultured cells obtained from human ciliary body (CB) and trabecular meshwork (TM) were used. Total RNA was obtained from 4th or 5th passage cultured CB and TM cells, and qRT-PCR was performed using primers specific for Testican-1. Immunoblot analysis was performed to determine the expression of Testican-1 in cultured CB and TM cells.
Results: :
In qRT-PCR experiments, we found that Testican-1 mRNA was expressed in CB (0.010 ± 0.001 fold, n=4) and TM (0.037 ± 0.010 fold, n=4), respectively, normalized with β-Actin. This indicates that Testican-1 in TM is expressed 4 times higher (p=0.027) than in CB. Immunoblot analysis, demonstrated equivalent expression of Testican-1 in TM and CB (0.48 ± 0.45 fold, n=3).
Conclusions: :
The findings indicated that Testican-1 mRNA and protein are expressed in cultured CB and TM cells as well as in the anterior segments of normal and glaucomatous eyes. Although the function of Testican-1 is unknown, its function may be related to protease inhibition.
Keywords: anterior segment • trabecular meshwork • ciliary body