Effects of K-115 (Ripasudil), a novel ROCK inhibitor, on trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal endothelial cells

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 19:6:19640. doi: 10.1038/srep19640.

Abstract

Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate (K-115), a specific Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, was the first ophthalmic solution developed for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Japan. Topical administration of K-115 decreased intraocular pressure (IOP) and increased outflow facility in rabbits. This study evaluated the effect of K-115 on monkey trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and Schlemm's canal endothelial (SCE) cells. K-115 induced retraction and rounding of cell bodies as well as disruption of actin bundles in TM cells. In SCE-cell monolayer permeability studies, K-115 significantly decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased the transendothelial flux of FITC-dextran. Further, K-115 disrupted cellular localization of ZO-1 expression in SCE-cell monolayers. These results indicate that K-115 decreases IOP by increasing outflow facility in association with the modulation of TM cell behavior and SCE cell permeability in association with disruption of tight junction.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Glaucoma / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma / metabolism
  • Haplorhini
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Ocular Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Ocular Hypertension / metabolism
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / pharmacology
  • Rabbits
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Trabecular Meshwork / drug effects*
  • Trabecular Meshwork / metabolism
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Isoquinolines
  • K-115
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Sulfonamides
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • rho-Associated Kinases