This federal Project Grant award from the National Eye Institute (NEI) under CFDA program 93.867 - Vision Research, provides $661,635 to SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University to elucidate the molecular changes in the extracellular matrix of the ocular outflow pathway that regulate intraocular pressure in steroid-induced ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. The research aims to determine if the same extracellular matrix changes that lead to tissue stiffening and reduced outflow facility are present in both steroid-induced ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. The project will also investigate if overproduction of specific matrix components like collagen II and elastin causes the extracellular matrix stiffening and reduced outflow, as well as examine the role of the tissue plasminogen activator/matrix metalloproteinase 9 pathway in regulating outflow by releasing growth factors sequestered in the matrix. These findings could help develop novel therapeutics for ocular hypertension and glaucoma. The award period is from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2029.
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