Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1)-null and TSP2-null mice exhibit lower intraocular pressures.

PURPOSE: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and TSP2 are matricellular proteins that have been shown to regulate cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Both TSP1 and TSP2 are found in the trabecular meshwork (TM). In cadaver eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), TSP1 is increased in one third of patients. We hypothesized that TSP1 and TSP2 participate in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods. IOPs of TSP1-null, TSP2-null mice, and their corresponding wild-type (WT) mice were measured using a commercial rebound tonometer. Fluorophotometric measurements assessed aqueous turnover. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by optical coherence tomography. Iridocorneal angles were examined using light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS: Average IOPs of TSP1-null and TSP2-null mice were 10% and 7% less than that of the corresponding WT mice, respectively. CCTs were 6.5% less in TSP1-null mice (P < 0.05) and 1.1% less in TSP2-null mice (P > 0.05). Fluorophotometric measurements suggest that aqueous turnover rates in TSP1-null and TSP2-null mice are greater than those of WT mice. LM of the TSP1-null and TSP2-null iridocorneal angles reveals morphology, which is indistinguishable from that of their corresponding WTs. IF revealed possible concurrent underexpression of TSP2 in TSP1-null mice and of TSP1 in TSP2-null mice. TEM revealed larger collagen fibril diameters in TSP1-null and TSP2-null mice compared with WTs.

CONCLUSIONS: TSP1-null and TSP2-null mice have lower IOPs than their WT counterparts. The rate of aqueous turnover suggests that the mechanism is enhanced outflow facility. An alteration in the extracellular matrix may contribute to this finding.