Apoptosis of human trabecular meshwork cells induced by transforming growth factor-β2in vitroin vitro

Whether transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) induces apoptosis of human trabecular meshwork cells was investigatedin vitro. Cultured 3–5 passage human trabecular meshwork cells were treated with 0 (control). 0. 32. 1, 3. 2 ng/ml TGF-β2 for 48 h and divided into control group and experimental group. The apoptosis of human trabecular meshwork cells was examined by transmisson electron microscopy. TUNEL technique and flow cytometry. The results showed character istic morphologic changes of apoptotic cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy. DNA fragmentation of human trabecular meshowork cells was found by TUNEL technique. Quantitative analysis of flow cytometry showed that percentages of apoptotic human trabecular meshwork cells were (2.79±0.44)%. (4.43±1.17)% and (9.60±2.05)% respectively with different concentrations [1 ng/ml (P<0.05), 3.2 ng/ml (P<0.01)] of TGF-β2 with the difference being significant between experimental group and control group [(1.41±0.34)%]. It was concluded that TGF-β2 can induce apoptosis of human trabecular meshwork, cellsin vitro and may be involved in the decrease of trabecular meshwork cells in the patients with primary open angle glaucoma and aging of normal people.