Cellular Response of Trabecular Meshwork Cells on Micro/Nano Scale Substrates.  (Zhao, Weber, Roberts) The hydraulic conductivity response of primary cultures of trabecular meshwork (TM) endothelial cells to laser irradiation has been studied for many years. In the past year, this work has transitioned to investigations of the cellular response of TM cells to micro and/or nanoscale substrates. We have found that 1) TM cells exhibit a more in vivo-like phenotype when cultured on surface with micro/nanoscale topography; 2) For TM cells cultured on microscale structures, randomly patterned structure induces higher levels of myocilin expression; and 3) Although no obvious difference of myocilin expression is observed between random and aligned nanoscale fibrous structures, these nanoscale fibrous structure induce higher level of myocilin than aligned solid microstructure. Preliminary work resulted in external funding from the Glaucoma Research Foundation. This work was also presented at ARVO this year, and will continue next year.

“Nanoengineered In Vitro Trabecular Meshwork (TM) Model for Systematic Investigation of Aqueous Humor Outflow Resistance.” Glaucoma Research Foundation. Principal Investigator: Yi Zhao, Co-Investigators: Cynthia J. Roberts, Deborah M. Grzybowski, Paul A. Weber. $40,000.

Bongsu Kim, Cynthia J. Roberts, Ashraf M. Mahmoud, Deborah M. Grzybowski, Paul A. Weber, Zhao Yi “Topographic Effect of Micro/Nanoengineered Polymer Substrates on Cultured Trabecular Meshwork Cells.” ARVO 2011, E-abstract 4666.