May 2008
Volume 49, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
Novel Signaling Pathways Regulated by Prostanoid Receptors in Human Ciliary Smooth Muscle Cells
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A. J. Hutchinson
    The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
    Program in Neuroscience,
  • S. C. Coons
    The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
    Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science,
  • D. F. Woodward
    Department of Biological Sciences, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California
  • W. D. Stamer
    The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
    Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science,
  • J. W. Regan
    The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
    Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  A.J. Hutchinson, Allergan, Inc., C; S.C. Coons, None; D.F. Woodward, Allergan, Inc., E; W.D. Stamer, Allergan, Inc., F; J.W. Regan, Allergan, Inc., F.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NIH Grant EY11291
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2008, Vol.49, 2619. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      A. J. Hutchinson, S. C. Coons, D. F. Woodward, W. D. Stamer, J. W. Regan; Novel Signaling Pathways Regulated by Prostanoid Receptors in Human Ciliary Smooth Muscle Cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008;49(13):2619.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : Prostaglandin analogs are widely used for the treatment of glaucoma due to their ability to reduce intraocular pressure by promoting uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humor. Animal studies show that these drugs act on E and F prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4 and FP) in ciliary muscle, where they initiate tissue remodeling processes believed to facilitate aqueous outflow. We aim to address questions regarding the intracellular mechanisms that link the prostanoid receptors to tissue remodeling.

Methods: : To investigate the activity of prostanoid receptors in ciliary muscle, we established cultures of human ciliary smooth muscle (HCSM) cells from fetal eye tissue explants. These cultures were characterized by their immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle-actin. We further tested these cells for prostaglandin-dependent activation of second messengers, signaling effectors, and reporter gene constructs.

Results: : Treatment of HCSM cells with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) causes a dose-dependent formation of cyclic AMP (EC50=133 nM), the major second messenger associated with the activation of the EP2 and EP4 receptors. Likewise, stimulation of the FP receptor in these cultures with prostaglandin F (PGF) leads to a dose-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphates (EC50 = 79 nM). PGF stimulation of HCSM cells also up regulates the transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor/erythroid-derived 2 related factor-2 (Nrf2) and early growth response factor-1 (EGR-1). Additionally, PGF stimulates luciferase activity in cells transfected with plasmids containing either the hypoxia response element (HRE, controlled by HIF-1α) or the antioxidant response element (ARE, controlled by Nrf2).

Conclusions: : These signaling effectors, particularly HIF-1α and EGR-1, are known to regulate tissue remodeling in other physiological settings and are potentially involved in the remodeling observed in the ciliary muscle. Activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway is also interesting for its potential to regulate the expression of cell adhesion molecules, which is also potentially important in remodeling processes. Our findings indicate that cultured HCSM cells express functional prostanoid receptors that are coupled to signaling mechanisms that may contribute to the therapeutic benefit of antiglaucoma drugs.

Keywords: ciliary muscle • eicosanoids • second messengers: pharmacology/physiology 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×