Racial Differences in the Extracellular Matrix and Histone Acetylation of the Lamina Cribrosa and Peripapillary Sclera.

Purpose We investigated the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary sclera (PPS) and compared histone acetylation and related enzymes to identify racial differences between Korean and Caucasian donor eyes. Methods Posterior segment tissues were obtained from 30 Caucasian donors and 42 age and axial length-matched Korean donors. Histone modification was assessed for histone deacetylase (HDAC) 2, HDAC3, and acetylated histone H3. The promoter regions of the major ECM in the LC and PPS including collagen type I and III, and elastic fiber components (elastin and fibrillin-1) and lysyl oxidase enzymes including lysyl oxidase-like 1 and 2 (LOXL2) were evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Protein and mRNA expression of major ECM components were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining. Results HDAC2 and HDAC3 expression levels were decreased and acetylated histone H3 was increased in the LC and PPS of Korean eyes than Caucasian eyes. The promoter regions of LOXL2, elastin, and fribrillin-1 genes were highly acetylated in Korean LC. Expression of LOXL2 and elastic fiber components (elastin and fibrillin-1) were significantly increased in Korean LC and PPS than Caucasians according to the real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analyses, and quantification of elastic fiber staining. Conclusions Histone acetylation status differed in the promoter regions of the elastic fiber components and LOXL2 in the LC and PPS according to race. Further study to reveal the association with these findings to the pathogenesis of glaucoma in Korean eyes is needed.