Abstract
Purpose: :
There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the progression of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Here we provide evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is a possible mechanism for loss of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in individuals with POAG.
Methods: :
TM from POAG (GTM) and age-matched non-diseased (NTM) individuals were obtained by standard surgical trabeculectomy. Primary TM cultures were treated with one of the following mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors: rotenone (ROT, complex I inhibitor), thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA, complex II inhibitor), myxothiazol or antimycin A (MYX, AM - complex III inhibitors); the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) inhibitor, cyclosporine A (CsA); the antioxidants, vitamin E (Vit E) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Mitochondrial function was determined by changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP production, using the fluorescent probes 5,5’,6,6’-tetrachloro-1,1’3,3’-tetraethylbenzimid azolocarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) and a luciferin/luciferase-based ATP assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, determined by H2-DCF-DA, and cell death, measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and Annexin V-FITC labeling, were also examined.
Results: :
GTM cells have higher endogenous ROS level, lower ATP level, decreased ΔΨm, and are more sensitive to mitochondrial complex I inhibition than their normal counterparts. ROT induces a further increase in ROS production, release of cytochrome c (cyt c), and decreases in ATP level and ΔΨm in GTM cells, eventually leading to apoptosis. Complex II and III inhibition had little effect on the cells. Antioxidants protect against ROT-induced death by inhibiting ROS generation and cyt c release.
Conclusions: :
We propose that a mitochondrial complex I defect is associated with degeneration of TM cells in POAG patients, and antioxidants and MPT inhibitors can reduce progression of this condition.
Keywords: trabecular meshwork • oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage • mitochondria