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 reaction (RT-PCR), protein expression with Western blots and the percentage of 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-apoptotlc 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. Eye Science 2005;21:44-51.