Clostridium Collagenase Impact on Zone of Stasis Stabilization and Transition to Healthy Tissue in Burns.

Clostridium collagenase has provided superior clinical results in achieving digestion of immediate and accumulating devitalized collagen tissue. Recent studies suggest that debridement via Clostridium collagenase modulates a cellular response to foster an anti-inflammatory microenvironment milieu, allowing for a more coordinated healing response. In an effort to better understand its role in burn wounds, we evaluated Clostridium collagenase's ability to effectively minimize burn progression using the classic burn comb model in pigs.

Chronic wound repair and healing in older adults: current status and future research.

Older adults are more likely to have chronic wounds than younger people, and the effect of chronic wounds on quality of life is particularly profound in this population. Wound healing slows with age, but the basic biology underlying chronic wounds and the influence of age-associated changes on wound healing are poorly understood. Most studies have used in vitro approaches and various animal models, but observed changes translate poorly to human healing conditions.

Chronic wound repair and healing in older adults: current status and future research.

The incidence of chronic wounds is increased among older adults, and the impact of chronic wounds on quality of life is particularly profound in this population. It is well established that wound healing slows with age. However, the basic biology underlying chronic wounds and the influence of age-associated changes on wound healing are poorly understood.

Trabecular meshwork bradykinin receptors: mRNA levels, immunohistochemical visualization, signaling processes pharmacology, and linkage to IOP reduction.

Purpose: To localize mRNA and protein of bradykinin (BK) receptors, BK precursor polypeptide (kininogen) mRNA, and to study functional biochemical pharmacology of the signal transduction processes mediated by B2-receptors in isolated human trabecular meshwork (h-TM) cells. Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects of 2 kinins were also investigated.

Methods: Previously documented procedures were utilized throughout these studies.

Exon-level expression profiling of ocular tissues.

The normal gene expression profiles of the tissues in the eye are a valuable resource for considering genes likely to be involved with disease processes. We profiled gene expression in ten ocular tissues from human donor eyes using Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays.

Identification of PDE6D as a molecular target of anecortave acetate via a methotrexate-anchored yeast three-hybrid screen.

Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are ocular diseases targeted clinically by anecortave acetate (AA). AA and its deacetylated metabolite, anecortave desacetate (AdesA), are intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering and angiostatic cortisenes devoid of glucocorticoid activity but with an unknown mechanism of action. We used a methotrexate-anchored yeast three-hybrid (Y3H) technology to search for binding targets for AA in human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, the target cell type that controls IOP, a major risk factor in glaucoma.

Adenoviral gene transfer of active human transforming growth factor-{beta}2 elevates intraocular pressure and reduces outflow facility in rodent eyes.

Purpose. Glaucoma is a leading cause worldwide of blindness and visual impairment. Transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGFbeta2) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) based on elevated levels in glaucomatous aqueous humor and its ability to induce extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the trabecular meshwork (TM).

Glaucoma-causing myocilin mutants require the Peroxisomal targeting signal-1 receptor (PTS1R) to elevate intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of worldwide irreversible visual impairment and blindness and is a clinically and genetically heterogenous group of optic neuropathies. Specific mutations in the myocilin (MYOC) gene cause primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with varying age-of-onset and degree of severity. We show a mutation-dependent, gain-of-function association between human myocilin and the peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 receptor (PTS1R).

TGFbeta2-induced changes in human trabecular meshwork: implications for intraocular pressure.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 levels are elevated in glaucomatous human aqueous humor. TGFbeta is a cytokine that alters extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism, and excess ECM has been proposed to increase aqueous outflow resistance in the trabecular meshwork (TM) of glaucomatous eyes. This study was undertaken to investigate effects of TGFbeta2 on secretion of fibronectin and the protease inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 from human TM cell cultures and perfused human ocular anterior segments.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in human trabecular meshwork cells.

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in trabecular meshwork (TM) extracellular matrix metabolism and have been shown to increase aqueous outflow facility. The purpose of this study was to characterize effects of cytokines, a phorbol ester, and prostanoids on the expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and -2 in cultured human TM cells.

Methods: Five human TM cell strains were treated with selected compounds.

Characterization of rabbit myocilin: Implications for human myocilin glycosylation and signal peptide usage.

Background: Mutations in the gene encoding human myocilin (MYOC) have been shown to cause juvenile- and adult-onset glaucoma. In addition, myocilin has been associated with glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension and steroid-induced glaucoma. To better understand the role myocilin plays in steroid-induced glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma, we examined rabbit myocilin for use in the rabbit animal model of steroid-induced glaucoma.