Eye drops increase outflow of glaucomatous tissue constructs

Prescription glaucoma eye drops—such as bimatoprost, latanoprost and timolol—significantly increased outflow facility of glaucomatous tissue constructs (3D-HTM™; Glauconix Bioscience) and indicate alternative mechanism of action for these compounds through the trabecular meshwork, according to a recent study presented at ARVO 2021.

Researchers evaluated commonly prescribed glaucoma medications on 3D- HTM tissue constructs that mimic the human trabecular outflow pathway, which is responsible for most of the aqueous humor drainage and shown to be affected in glaucoma patients. Bioengineered human trabecular meshwork tissue constructs were cultured to confluence, treated with TGFb-2 (5 ng/mL) for 6 days to induce a glaucomatous-like state, and then exposed to 10mM brimonidine, bimatoprost, timolol, and latanoprost for 3 days. The researchers tested the responsiveness of the molecules under flow with perfusion studies using a 24-multichannel microfluidic system that monitors pressure across the tissue constructs. The “outflow facility” was determined for each. An increase in outflow facility is correlated to a decrease in IOP.

Results demonstrated that of the 4 compounds studied, bimatoprost, latanoprost, and timolol significantly increased outflow facility, while brimonidine did not significantly affect outflow facility. Further studies are ongoing to better understand how these treatments are affecting the trabecular meshwork, researchers said.

Reference
Unser A, et al. Examining the effects of glaucoma medications on the trabecular outflow pathway using Glauconix Bioscience’s 3D-HTM™ tissue constructs. Presented at: ARVO 2021.