Open AccessA NovelMgp-Cre Knock-In Mouse Reveals an Anticalcification/Antistiffness Candidate Gene in the Trabecular Meshwork and Peripapillary Scleral Region
Author(s) -
Teresa Borrás,
Matthew H. Smith,
LaKisha K. Buie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
investigative ophthalmology and visual science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-5783
pISSN - 0146-0404
DOI - 10.1167/iovs.15-16460
Subject(s) - matrix gla protein , trabecular meshwork , ciliary body , sclera , calcification , anatomy , biology , lumican , cornea , microbiology and biotechnology , cartilage , glaucoma , pathology , ectopic calcification , proteoglycan , medicine , genetics , neuroscience , decorin
Soft tissue calcification is a pathological condition. Matrix Gla (MGP) is a potent mineralization inhibitor secreted by cartilage chondrocytes and arteries' vascular smooth muscle cells. Mgp knock-out mice die at 6 weeks due to massive arterial calcification. Arterial calcification results in arterial stiffness and higher systolic blood pressure. Intriguingly, MGP was highly abundant in trabecular meshwork (TM). Because tissue stiffness is relevant to glaucoma, we investigated which additional eye tissues use Mgp's function using knock-in mice.