Dataset Information

Transcriptome-wide study of the response of human trabecular meshwork cells to the substrate stiffness increase

ABSTRACT: Elevated intraocular pressure, a major risk factor of glaucoma, is caused by the abnormal function of trabecular outflow pathways. Human trabecular meshwork (HTM) tissue plays an important role in the outflow pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms that how TM cells respond to the elevated IOP are largely unknown. We cultured primary HTM cells on polyacrylamide gels with tunable stiffness corresponding to Young's moduli ranging from 1.1 to 50 kPa. Then next‐generation RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) was performed to obtain the transcriptomic profiles of HTM cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that genes related to glaucoma including DCN, SPARC, and CTGF, were significantly increased with elevated substrate stiffness, as well as the global alteration of HTM transcriptome. Extracellular matrix (ECM)‐related genes were selectively activated in response to the elevated substrate stiffness, consistent with the known molecular alteration in glaucoma. Human normal and glaucomatous TM tissues were also obtained to perform RNA‐seq experiments and supported the substrate stiffness‐altered transcriptome profiles from the in vitro cell model. The current study profiled the transcriptomic changes in human TM cells upon increasing substrate stiffness. Global change of ECM‐related genes indicates that the in vitro substrate stiffness could greatly affect the biological processes of HTM cells. The in vitro HTM cell model could efficiently capture the main pathogenetic process in glaucoma patients, and provide a powerful method to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE123100 | GEO | 2019/12/16

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork (TM) culminating in increased intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Regulation of aqueous humor drainage through the TM, however, is poorly understood. The role of RhoA GTPase-mediated contractile activity, cell adhesive interactions, and gene expression in regulation of aqueous humor outflow was investigated using adenoviral vector-driven expression of constitutively active RhoA (RhoAV14). Organ cultured anterior segments from porcine eyes expressing RhoAV14 exhibited significant reduction of aqueous humor outflow. Cultured TM cells expressing RhoAV14 revealed strong contractile cell morphology, increased actin stress fibers and focal adhesions, along with increased levels of phosphorylated myosin II, and collagen IV, fibronectin and laminin. cDNA microarray analysis of RNA extracted from RhoAV14 expressing human TM cells revealed a significant increase in the expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, cytokines, integrins, cytoskeletal proteins and signaling proteins. Conversely, various ECM proteins stimulated robust increases in phosphorylation of myosin II, paxillin and focal adhesion kinase, and activated Rho GTPase and actin stress fiber formation in TM cells, indicating a potential regulatory feedback interaction between ECM-induced mechanical strain and Rho GTPase-induced isometric tension in TM cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that sustained activation of Rho GTPase signaling in the aqueous humor outflow pathway increases resistance to aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular pathway by influencing the contractile force, cell adhesive interactions, and the expression of ECM proteins and cytokines in TM cells. Keywords: Gene Expression Two condition experiment: Human trabecular mesh work cells infected with Adenivirus expressing GFP Vs Adenovirus expressing GFP and constitutively active RhoAV14

Project description:The goal of this study was to contrast genome-wide gene expression profiles of cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells, to that of control and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) HTM tissues. Total RNA from cultured HTM cells and HTM tissue dissected from control and POAG anterior segments fixed in RNA laterâ¢ was linearly amplified with the OvationTM Biotin RNA Amplification and Labeling System and individually hybridized to Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 high density microarrays. Data analysis was performed using the GeneSpring Software 7.0. Selected genes showing significant differential expression were validated by Quantitative real-time PCR in nonamplified RNA. Cultured HTM cells retained the expression of some genes characteristic of the HTM tissue, including chitinase 3-like 1 and matrix Gla protein, but demonstrated downregulation of physiologically important genes such as myocilin. POAG HTM tissue showed relatively small changes compared to that of control donors. These changes included the statistically significant upregulation of several genes associated with inflammation and acute-phase response, including selectin-E (ELAM-I), as well as the downregulation of the antioxidants, paraoxonase 3 and ceruloplasmin. Downregulation in cultured HTM cells of genes potentially relevant for outflow pathway function highlights the importance of developing new conditions for the culture of TM cells capable of preserving the characteristics of TM cells in vivo. Comparative analysis between control and POAG tissues suggests that the upregulation of inflammation-associated genes might be involved in the progression of glaucoma. Experiment Overall Design: Total RNA from three cultured HTM cells and HTM tissue dissected from three pairs of control and two pairs of POAG anterior segments fixed in RNA laterâ¢ was linearly amplified with the OvationTM Biotin RNA Amplification and Labeling System and individually hybridized to Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 high density microarrays.

Dataset Information

Transcriptome-wide study of the response of human trabecular meshwork cells to the substrate stiffness increase

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure