Extracellular matrix of the eye (Ocular ECM)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the eye is a complex, tissue-specific network of proteins, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins that provides structural integrity and regulates essential physiological processes within ocular tissues. Key components include various types of collagen (e.g., types I, IV, and VI), proteoglycans such as lumican, decorin, and keratocan, and glycoproteins like laminin, elastin, and fibronectin, which vary in composition across the cornea, vitreous, retina, and trabecular meshwork. This ocular matrisome is critical for maintaining corneal transparency, regulating aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork to maintain intraocular pressure, and providing the biomechanical scaffold for the retina and Bruch's membrane. Dysregulation of the eye ECM is a hallmark of several blinding diseases, including glaucoma (stiffening of the trabecular meshwork), keratoconus (thinning and weakening of the corneal stroma), and age-related macular degeneration (thickening and calcification of Bruch’s membrane). Therapeutic strategies involving the ocular ECM include Rho kinase inhibitors to remodel the trabecular meshwork, collagen cross-linking to strengthen the cornea, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) modulators to control pathological tissue remodeling.

Other names

Ocular extracellular matrixOcular matrisomeEye ECMOcular connective tissueExtracellular matrix of the ocular microenvironment

Modulation of trabecular meshwork outflow resistance through cytoskeletal/ECM remodeling; induction of collagen cross-linking for structural stabilization; inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases to prevent tissue degradation; lubrication and ocular surface protection.