Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is commonly driven by dysfunction of the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal, resulting in impaired aqueous humor outflow and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Current treatments, including eye drops, laser procedures, and surgical interventions, primarily focus on lowering IOP but do not directly restore the damaged outflow tissues responsible for disease progression. As a result, there remains a significant unmet need for therapies that address the underlying biology of glaucoma rather than its symptoms alone.
Our researchers developed a novel cell-free regenerative therapy based on secretomes derived from trabecular meshwork stem cells (TMSC-Scr) and trabecular meshwork cells (TM-Scr). The technology has demonstrated restoration of key Schlemm's canal endothelial cell functions in vitro, including enhanced viability, proliferation, wound healing, barrier regulation, and biomechanical normalization associated with improved aqueous outflow. In vivo studies further demonstrated significant IOP reduction in a dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension model, accompanied by restoration of trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal structure and function, preservation of retinal ganglion cells, and maintenance of retinal function.
Together, these findings provide compelling preclinical evidence for a disease-modifying glaucoma therapy that combines outflow pathway restoration with potential neuroprotective benefits.
Figure: Secretome Treatment Significantly Lowers IOP in Experimental Glaucoma
TMSC-derived secretome significantly reduced elevated intraocular pressure in a dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension model. The results demonstrate translational proof-of-concept for restoring aqueous outflow function and support further development as a disease-modifying therapy for glaucoma.