Reverse engineering glaucoma

Lester, Karen Leah (2018) Reverse engineering glaucoma PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and the only modifiable risk factor is intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma is a complex disease with specific endophenotypes, and disease pathogenesis is likely to involve multiple pathways linking genetic and environmental interactions. Growth factors present in the aqueous humour in POAG increase outflow resistance and elevate IOP. TGF-β2 alters ECM production and turnover in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and has been shown in numerous studies to play a role in the pathogenesis of POAG. No current pharmacological interventions target the deleterious effects of TGF-β2 of the TM which produced elevated IOP. In addition to TGF-β another well characterised glaucoma stimulus is corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are used in ophthalmology to decrease inflammation and preserve ocular function. However side effects including cataract, enhanced infection, and glaucoma are associated with their use. Small, naturally occurring regulatory genes, micro RNAs (miRNAs), target many genes downstream of TGF-β2 and are expressed in response to corticosteroids. The current work set out to identify key differentially expressed genes ... (continues)

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Aug 2018 07:27
Last Modified:	02 Nov 2024 10:19
DOI:	10.17638/03022786
Supervisors:	Willoughby, Colin Sheridan, Carl ORCID: 0000-0003-0100-9587 Choudhary, Anshoo Hamill, Kevin ORCID: 0000-0002-7852-1944
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3022786
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