Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) cDNA and secreted protein in human trabecular meshwork (TM). Methods: Anterior segment organ cultures were perfused with 0.1 μ M DEX (OD) and vehicle (OS). Primary human TM cells (HTM) were treated with DEX under similar conditions. PEDF mRNA and secreted PEDF protein were quantitated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: PEDF mRNA and secreted PEDF protein levels were significantly higher in DEX over vehicle-treated cultures. In contrast, DEX decreased the activity of a 92-kDa gelatinolytic zymogen in organ culture effluents. Conclusion: DEX action in the human TM might include a PEDF-mediating pathway.