Proteome Alterations in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Aqueous Humor

As the only nourishment and scavenging source for most of the anterior and posterior chamber tissues in the eye, the aqueous humor represents one of the target for glaucoma. The aim of this study is to investigate the yet unexplored relationship between aqueous humor protein content and open-angle glaucoma (POAG) pathogenesis. Aqueous humor was collected from 10 POAG patients (cases) and 14 senile cataract patients (controls), matched for age and gender, undergoing surgery for trabeculectomy and cataract, respectively. Protein samples were cyanine-labeled and hybridized with antibody microarrays. Microarray signals were revealed by laser scanner, quantified, and compared by statistical analyses. Total protein amounts were not significantly different in patients versus controls. Conversely, a proteome cluster significantly modified in patients as compared to controls was identified as highly predictive for disease status. Selected proteins underwent dramatic variation, which was correlated to pathogenetic events characterizing POAG, including oxidative damage, mitochondrial damage, neural degeneration, and apoptosis. The results obtained indicate that proteomic analysis of aqueous humor is a new tool for POAG diagnosis in the case of otherwise uncertain disease recognition. Furthermore, this study allows a better understanding of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of POAG, the main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.