We propose to examine the hypothesis that a majority of aqueous outflow resistance is due to an accumulation of macromolecules in the extracellular spaces of the juxtacanalicular meshwork and further, that certain components of this resistance-causing material are contained in aqueous humor. We anticipate that confirmation of these hypotheses will identify factors which lead to elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma. Our group has recently found that macromolecules present in aqueous humor dramatically affect the resistance to flow through microporous filters with pore dimensions similar to those of the juxtacanalicular meshwork. We propose to identify the important macromolecules in this process, study the physical mechanisms responsible for the entrapment of these substances, and develop a theoretical framework to model and predict the behavior of this immobilized matrix of macromolecules in the aqueous outflow passages.
| Johnson, M; Shapiro, A; Ethier, C R et al. (1992) Modulation of outflow resistance by the pores of the inner wall endothelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:1670-5 |
| Johnson, M; Johnson, D H; Kamm, R D et al. (1990) The filtration characteristics of the aqueous outflow system. Exp Eye Res 50:407-18 |
| Ethier, C R; Kamm, R D; Johnson, M et al. (1989) Further studies on the flow of aqueous humor through microporous filters. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 30:739-46 |
| Pavao, A F; Lee, D A; Ethier, C R et al. (1989) Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of calf aqueous humor, serum, and filter-bound proteins. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 30:731-8 |
| Rosenquist, R; Epstein, D; Melamed, S et al. (1989) Outflow resistance of enucleated human eyes at two different perfusion pressures and different extents of trabeculotomy. Curr Eye Res 8:1233-40 |
| Johnson, M; Ethier, C R; Kamm, R D et al. (1986) The flow of aqueous humor through micro-porous filters. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 27:92-7 |
