Effects of Air Pollutants on Trabecular Meshwork Cells
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Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
10-1-2025
Abstract
The trabecular meshwork (TM) is a specialized tissue located in the irido-corneal angle of the eye that regulates the aqueous humor outflow and maintains the intraocular pressure (IOP). TM cells function as a biological filter and are inherently phagocytic, clearing cellular debris in the aqueous humor (Stamer & Clark, 2016). Environmental factors, such as air pollution, have been associated with an increased risk of glaucoma (Kitayama et al., 2025). One such pollutant is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a chlorinated organic pollutant found in smog and other forms of ambient air pollution (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) et al., 1998). TCDD is highly persistent in the environment and can activate cellular signaling pathways that alter gene expression. This study investigates the effect of TCDD on the phagocytic activity of TM cells and whether the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway is active in TM cells after TCDD exposure. Gene expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and TIPARP was measured as readouts of AhR pathway activation.
Department
Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Project Mentor
Dr. Jie Zheng
Recommended Citation
Le, Thao H.P.; Jubintoro, Andrew C.; and Zheng, Jie J., "Effects of Air Pollutants on Trabecular Meshwork Cells" (2025). Annual Student Research Poster Session. 231.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/srfposters/231
Funding and Acknowledgements
Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.