ABSTRACT
We investigated the effect of a new Rho kinase inhibitor, SB772077B (SB77) on aqueous outflow facility (OF) in human eyes using human organ-cultured anterior segment (HOCAS). IOP was monitored for 24 h post-treatment with either SB77 (0.1/10/50 µM) or vehicle after a stable baseline pressure. The hydrodynamic pattern of aqueous outflow was analysed by labelling outflow pathway with red fluorescent microspheres. The effect of SB77 on cell morphology, actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, ECM, status of RhoA activation and myosin light chain phosphorylation (p-MLC) were evaluated and compared with Y27632, by immunostaining using primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. Following 24 h treatment, SB77 increased OF by 16% at 0.1 µM (N = 6), 29% at 10 µM (N = 8; p = 0.018) and 39% at 50 µM (N = 8; p = 0.004) in human eyes. There was an overall increase in tracer quantity and in area along inner wall of Schlemm's canal. Treatment with SB77 showed no evidence of cytotoxicity and caused a significant reduction in the expression of fibrotic markers compared to Y27632. The present findings indicate that SB77 treatment was effective in enhancing OF and reducing fibrotic markers in an ex vivo model. Thus SB77 may be a potential clinical candidate for the management of glaucoma.