Purpose. There are limited studies on the factors that regulate the processing of TGF-β2 and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins into their mature form. Bone morphogenic protein 1 (BMP1) is an enzyme responsible for the cleavage and maturation of growth factors and ECM proteins. The purpose of our study was to determine whether cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells express BMP1, BMP1 expression is regulated by TGF-β2, BMP1 is biologically active, and BMP1 regulates LOX activity. Methods. Primary human TM cells were isolated and subjected to quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western immunoblotting (WB) for BMP1. BMP1 immunolocalization was performed in TM tissues. qPCR was used to determine BMP1 mRNA expression and WB results were used to determine BMP1 protein expression. BMP1 activity was measured in TM cells treated with TGF-β2 or with a combination of TGF-β2/UK383367. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) enzyme activity was evaluated by WB in TM cells treated with BMP1 or with a combination of BMP1/β-aminoprorionitrile (BAPN). Results. Human TM cells expressed mRNA and protein for BMP1. Exogenous TGF-β2 increased mRNA expression compared to their controls (P < 0.05). An ELISA showed TGF-β2-induced BMP1 secretion compared to their controls in all cell strains (P < 0.05). Secreted BMP1 stimulated LOX enzymatic activity in TM cells. Conclusions. BMP1 is expressed in the human TM. TGF-β2 induction of BMP1 may be responsible for increased processing of growth factors and ECM proteins into their mature forms, resulting in TM stiffness and resistance to ECM degradation.

Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies that leads to irreversible vision loss. The optic nerve head (ONH) is the site of initial optic nerve damage in glaucoma. ONH-derived lamina cribrosa (LC) cells synthesize extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; however, these cells are adversely affected in glaucoma and cause detrimental changes to the ONH. LC cells respond to mechanical strain by increasing the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFβ2) and ECM proteins. Moreover, microRNAs (miRNAs or miR) regulate ECM gene expression in different fibrotic diseases, including glaucoma. A delicate homeostatic balance between profibrotic and anti-fibrotic miRNAs may contribute to the remodeling of ONH. This study aimed to determine whether modulation of miRNAs alters the expression of ECM in human LC cells. Primary human normal and glaucoma LC cells were grown to confluency and treated with or without TGFβ2 for 24 h. Differences in expression of miRNAs were analyzed using miRNA qPCR arrays. miRNA PCR arrays showed that the miR-29 family was significantly decreased in glaucomatous LC cell strains compared to age-matched controls. TGFβ2 treatment downregulated the expression of multiple miRNAs, including miR-29c-3p, compared to controls in LC cells. LC cells transfected with miR-29c-3p mimics or inhibitors modulated collagen expression.