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Mitochondrial function could influence POAG progression
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Primary open-angle glaucoma patients have decreased expression of the OPA1 gene, indicating that mitochondrial function could lead to the development or progression of the disease, according to a poster here.
Thomas M. Bosley, MD, and colleagues presented their results in a poster presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.
The study included 43 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 27 controls. OPA1 expression levels were determined with real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the ratio of OPA1 expression to beta globulin gene expression was compared between the groups.
According to the results, the POAG patients had a mean ratio of 1.16, while the control group had a mean ratio of 1.41 (P = .02). However, there was no difference in beta globulin expression alone between the groups.
Researchers eliminated ethnic bias by evaluating Caucasian patients and controls alone. Mean OPA1 expression values were significantly lower in the Caucasian patients than in the controls (P = .04), the poster said.
"These results imply that decreased OPA1 expression, and possibly decreased OPA1 levels, may contribute to the occurrence of POAG," Dr. Bosley said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Bosley has no direct financial interests to disclose.