siRNA targeting Schlemm’s canal endothelial tight junctions enhances outflow facility and reduces IOP in a steroid-induced OHT rodent model
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Systemic or localized application of glucocorticoids (GCs) can lead to iatrogenic ocular hypertension, which is a leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and visual impairment. Previous work has shown that dexamethasone increases zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, and that an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of ZO-1 can abolish the dexamethasone-induced increase in trans-endothelial flow resistance in cultured Schlemm’s canal (SC) endothelial and TM cells. We have previously shown that intracameral inoculation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting SC endothelial cell tight junction components, ZO-1 and tricellulin, increases aqueous humor outflow facility ex vivo in normotensive mice by reversibly opening SC endothelial paracellular pores. In this study, we show that targeted siRNA downregulation of these SC endothelial tight junctions reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in vivo, with a concomitant increase in conventional outflow facility in a well-characterized chronic steroid-induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, thus representing a potential focused clinical application for this therapy in a sight-threatening scenario.
Date Issued
2021-03-12
Date Acceptance
2020-10-27
Citation
Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development, 2021, 20, pp.86-94
ISSN
2329-0501
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
86
End Page
94
Journal / Book Title
Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development
Volume
20
Copyright Statement
© 2020 The Author(s).This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Sponsor
National Institutes of Health
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2329050120302266?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
Subaward No.2035687
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2020-10-31