Work

Comparisons of actin filament disruptors and Rho kinase inhibitors as potential antiglaucoma medications

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton in the trabecular meshwork play a crucial role in the regulation of trabecular outflow resistance. The actin filament disruptors and Rho kinase inhibitors affect the dynamics of the actomyosin system by either disrupting the actin filaments or inhibiting the Rho kinase-activated cellular contractility. Both approaches induce similar morphological changes and resistance decreases in the trabecular outflow pathway, and thus both have potential as antiglaucoma medications. Although the drugs might induce detrimental changes in the cornea following topical administration, lower drug concentrations in larger volumes as used clinically, but not higher drug concentrations in smaller volumes as used experimentally, could minimize corneal toxicity. Additionally, developments of trabecular meshwork-specific actin filament disruptors or Rho kinase inhibitors, prodrugs and new drug-delivery methods might avoid the drugs' toxicity to the cornea. Gene therapies with cytoskeleton-modulating proteins may mimic the effects of the cytoskeleton-modulating agents and have the potential to permanently decrease trabecular outflow resistance.

Source: Expert Review of Ophthalmology

DOI: 10.1586/eop.12.12

Authors: Baohe Tian, Paul L Kaufman

Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Glaucoma and retinal disorders

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Eye Institute