We have previously described a signaling complex (signalosome) associated with the GnRH receptor (GnRHR). We now report that GnRH induces bleb formation in the gonadotrope-derived LβT2 cells. The blebs appear within ~2 min at a turnover rate of ~2-3 blebs/min and last for at least 90 min. Formation of the blebs requires active ERK1/2 and RhoA-ROCK but not active c-Src. Although the following li...

Our aim was to determine the predictive value of postoperative Background bleb morphological features and intraocular pressure (IOP) on the success rate of trabeculectomy. : In this prospective interventional case series, we analyzed for one Methods year 80 consecutive primary open angle glaucoma patients who underwent mitomycin-augmented trabeculectomy. Bleb morphology was scored using the Ind...

PURPOSE A honeycomb-patterned film (HPF) prevents bleb scarring and mitomycin C (MMC)-related bleb avascularity in a rabbit model of filtration surgery. In this study, we examined whether a HPF-releasing paclitaxel (PTX) can prevent bleb avascularity without compromising filtration. METHODS Filtration surgery was performed in one eye of rabbits. A 14-μm thick HPF made from poly(L-lactide-co-ε...

Mesenchymal precursors (MPs) present some advantageous features, such as differentiation and migration, which make them promising candidates for cell therapy. A better understanding of MP migration characteristics would aid the development of cell delivery protocols. Traditionally, cell migration is thought to occur only through the formation of lamellipodia. More recently, contractility-driven...

The treatment of refractory glaucoma (RG) is challenging. The commonly adopted strategy in RG treatment is a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation, which despite its radical nature may not always provide the desired intraocular pressure (IOP) levels for a long term. This review is based on the scientific literature on Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation for refractory glaucoma. The te...

PURPOSE To report a case of corneal decompensation due to the Ex-PRESS(®) mini glaucoma shunt device (Ex-PRESS). PATIENT AND METHODS A 75-year-old man had pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in his right eye. He underwent filtration surgery with Ex-PRESS. His intraocular pressure was 7 mmHg after 9 months. RESULTS We observed partial decompensation of the corneal endothelium adjacent to the filterin...