Articles

Cell-derived matrices as a model to study ocular hypertension

Author(s):

Abstract:

Ocular hypertension is increasingly being attributed to extracellular matrix (ECM) and matricellular changes in the trabecular meshwork (TM). Cells in the TM recognize and are able to respond to both biophysical and biochemical changes in the ECM through a process called mechanotransduction. Currently, there are limited studies that document the bidirectional interaction of TM cells and immediate microenvironment, largely due to a lack of available relevant models. Polymeric scaffolds, decellularized tissues, and more recently, cell-derived matrices (CDM) have gained increasing attention as substrates to elicit controlled cellular responses. However, their use in studying
ocular disease-related mechanisms has garnered limited attention. As such, in this chapter we explore CDMs as a potential tool to study how glaucoma alters ECM composition and mechanics, and how it may be used to study TM cell-ECM interactions. We also discuss the various available approaches to generate in-vitro matrix-/scaffold-based models with a specific focus on ECM deposited by primary TM cells in culture.

Glaucoma Research 2018-2020, pp. 69-84 #5
Edited by: John R. Samples and Paul A. Knepper
© Kugler Publications, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Buy this article