Molecular mechanism of bovine trabecular meshwork cells apoptosis induced by dexamethasone and protection by pilocarpine.
PURPOSE: To study the molecular mechanism of trabecular meshwork cells apoptosis induced by dexamethasone and the protection of pilocarpine. METHODS: Determining mRNA expression with reverse transcription-polymerase chain protein expression with Western blots and the percentage of reaction (RT-PCR), apoptotic cells with fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: Dexamethasone up-regulated Fas proteins and affected Bax, caspase-8 and caspase-9 proteins in an action of first decrease then increase. Pre -treatment with pilocarpine decreased the four proteins expression, which were increased by dexamethasone. Pilocarpine self could decrease pro-apoptotic factors Bax, caspase-8 and caspase-9 proteins expression. CONCLUSION: Fas/FasL pathway participated in apoptotic process induced by dexamethasone in trabecular meshwork cells and the process was probably related with both caspase-8 and caspase-9 pathways. Pilocarpine protected the cells against apoptosis through down-regulating Fas, Bax, caspase-8 and caspase-9 proteins expression.