Soluble CD44 is cytotoxic to trabecular meshwork and retinal ganglion cells in vitro.

Purpose: Current glaucoma research targets neuroprotective therapies for retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the 32-kDa ectodomain fragment of CD44-soluble CD44 (sCD44)-which is increased in the aqueous of patients with POAG, affects RGC and trabecular meshwork (TM) cell survival in vitro.

Methods: sCD44 was isolated from human or fetal calf serum (FCS) by urea solubilization and immunoprecipitation.