Potential novel lymphangiogenic growth factor therapy for glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide today. In glaucoma, aqueous humor outflow into the Schlemm’s canal is obstructed, which increases pressure within the eye. High intraocular pressure is detrimental for neurons that conduct visual signals into the brain and can even lead to blindness. Treatment of glaucoma is based on lowering intraocular pressure, which slows the progressive loss of vision.

The Schlemm’s canal is a vessel that runs a full circle at the base of the iris. Aqueous humor flows out via this canal. Schlemm’s canal has generally been considered a blood vessel.

Aleksanteri Aspelund and his collagues from Wihuri Research Institute and University of Helsinki have found in an article published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation that the Schlemm’s canal displays many features characteristic of a lymphatic vessel. The researchers discovered that lymphangiogenic growth factors may be applied to grow Schlemm’s canal, which reduced intraocular pressure.

When successful, the reduction in intraocular pressure after a single growth factor injection was presistent, and apparent for months after injection. - Current glaucoma therapy requires administration of eye drops several times per day. As a result, patient compliance is sometimes poor, which explains lack of treatment efficacy.

– The basic finding that Schlemm’s canal displays many features of lymphatic endothelium was very promising. However, we went one step further and asked how this inherent feature can be exploited in the treatment of glaucoma, tells Aleksanteri Aspelund

– Lymphangiogenic growth factors could be a novel method for glaucoma treatment. These results, however, form only the first step in the development of such treatment. The results will have to be repeated in animal models that better resemble humans, and if treatment is efficacious and and safe, only then could it be tried for the treatment of human patients.

 

For further information:

Professor Kari Alitalo, tel. +358 50 500 3572, e-mail kari.alitalo@helsinki.fi

Aleksanteri Aspelund, tel. +358 40 825 5788, e-mail aleksanteri.aspelund@helsinki.fi