ID1 and ID3 are Negative Regulators of TGFβ2-Induced Ocular Hypertension and Compromised Aqueous Humor Outflow Facility in Mice.

Purpose: In POAG, elevated IOP remains the major risk factor in irreversible vision loss. Increased TGFβ2 expression in POAG aqueous humor and in the trabecular meshwork (TM) amplifies extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and reduces ECM turnover in the TM, leading to a decreased aqueous humor (AH) outflow facility and increased IOP. Inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (ID1 and ID3) inhibit TGFβ2-induced fibronectin and PAI-1 production in TM cells.

Role of ID Proteins in BMP4 Inhibition of Profibrotic Effects of TGF-β2 in Human TM Cells.

Purpose: Increased expression of TGF-β2 in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) aqueous humor (AH) and trabecular meshwork (TM) causes deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TM and elevated IOP. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate TGF-β2-induced ECM production. The underlying mechanism for BMP4 inhibition of TGF-β2-induced fibrosis remains undetermined.

Characterization of a spontaneously immortalized bovine trabecular meshwork cell line.

Trabecular meshwork (TM) cells have widely been used as an in vitro model for glaucoma research. However, primary TM cells suffer the disadvantages of limited cell numbers and slow rates of proliferation. We discovered a spontaneously transformed bovine TM (BTM) cell line, BTM-28T.

Intraperitoneal injection of JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 inhibits the expression of presenilin-1 and Notch signaling in mouse brain without induction of apoptosis.

Presenilin-1 (PS1) is a multifunctional protein involved in many cellular functions including the processing of type 1 membrane proteins such as β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch 1 receptor. PS1 acts as the catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase complex, and participates in Notch 1 processing to release Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in the cytoplasm. NICD subsequently migrates to the nucleus and causes Notch signaling by increasing the expression of the Hes1 gene.

Fluorescent properties of antioxidant cysteine ABZ analogue.

The antioxidant properties of aminobenzamide cysteine (ABZ Cys) makes it a molecule that can potentially be used as a drug in oxidative stress related diseases and delivered in the form of a nanoparticles. Here we have studied the photo-physical properties of ABZ Cys, a fluorescent analogue of a popular antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). We have compared ABZ Cys steady state and time-resolved fluorescence properties with its parent compounds anthranilic acid and anthranilamide in solution as well as in poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer films.