| First Author | Gu X | Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 113799 |
| PubMed ID | 38367239 | Mgi Jnum | J:350583 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7613934 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113799 |
| Citation | Gu X, et al. (2024) Macrophage-induced integrin signaling promotes Schlemm's canal formation to prevent intraocular hypertension and glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Cell Rep 43(2):113799 |
| abstractText | Schlemm's canal (SC) functions to maintain proper intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for glaucoma, the second-leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms governing SC development and functionality remains limited. Here, we show that vitronectin (VTN) produced by limbal macrophages promotes SC formation and prevents intraocular hypertension by activating integrin alphavbeta3 signaling. Genetic inactivation of this signaling system inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and FOXO1 and reduced beta-catenin activity and FOXC2 expression, thereby causing impaired Prox1 expression and deteriorated SC morphogenesis. This ultimately led to increased IOP and glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Intriguingly, we found that aged SC displayed downregulated integrin beta3 in association with dampened Prox1 expression. Conversely, FOXO1 inhibition rejuvenated the aged SC by inducing Prox1 expression and SC regrowth, highlighting a possible strategy by targeting VTN/integrin alphavbeta3 signaling to improve SC functionality. |
