Endothelin antagonism: effects of FP receptor agonists prostaglandin F2alpha and fluprostenol on trabecular meshwork contractility.

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Citation

Thieme H, Schimmat C, Munzer G, Boxberger M, Fromm M, Pfeiffer N, Rosenthal R

Endothelin antagonism: effects of FP receptor agonists prostaglandin F2alpha and fluprostenol on trabecular meshwork contractility.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Mar;47(3):938-45.

PubMed ID
16505027 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

PURPOSE: This study analyzes additional mechanisms behind the ocular hypotensive effect of prostaglandin F (PGF) receptor (FP receptor) agonists PGF2alpha and fluprostenol (fluprostenol-isopropyl ester [travoprost]), which reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma probably by enhancing uveoscleral flow. The trabecular meshwork (TM) is actively involved in IOP regulation through contractile mechanisms. Contractility of TM is induced by endothelin (ET)-1, a possible pathogenic factor in glaucoma. The involvement of FP receptor agonists in the ET-1 effects on TM function was studied. METHODS: The effects of FP receptor agonists on contractility of bovine TM (BTM) were investigated using a force-length transducer. The effects of PGF2alpha on intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) mobilization in cultured cells were measured using fura-2AM. The expression of the FP receptor protein was examined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The ET-1-induced (10(-8) M) contraction in isolated BTM was inhibited by PGF2alpha (10(-6) M) and fluprostenol (10(-6) M). This effect was blocked by FP receptor antagonists. Carbachol-induced contraction or baseline tension was not affected by PGF2alpha or fluprostenol. In cultured TM cells, ET-1 caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i that was reduced by PGF2alpha. No reduction occurred in the presence of the FP receptor antagonist Al-8810. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of the FP receptor in native and cultured TM. CONCLUSIONS: FP receptor agonists operate by direct interaction with ET-1-induced contractility of TM. This effect is mediated by the FP receptor. Thus, FP receptor agonists may decrease IOP by enhancing aqueous humor outflow through the TM by inhibiting ET-1-dependent mechanisms.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
TravoprostProstaglandin F2-alpha receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
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