Role of beta-catenin in glaucomatous optic neuropathy

The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway comprises a family of proteins that plays a critical role in developing adult tissue such as the optic nerve head by mediating cell proliferation, survival, behavior, and fates. This pathway is tightly controlled, and faulty regulation of this pathway has been shown to cause ocular malformations and ultimately a glaucomatous phenotype. Despite the significance of this pathway in glaucoma, the specific mediators involved in its pathophysiology remain poorly understood. This systemic review aims to analyze beta-catenin's role in the optic nerve head (ONH) cells and in the development of glaucoma. This review includes assessments of primary studies, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews. Additionally, to further understand the role of beta-catenin in OHN cells, immunohistochemistry will be performed to determine its expression in ONH cells. The results of this experiment will be updated in the final literature. In summary, our review shows that glaucomatous injury to the ONH downregulates Wnt signaling and the expression of beta-catenin. This leads to fibrosis of the ONH and an eventual elevation in intraocular pressure. This review also discusses the practical implications of these findings and how they can be used to develop potential therapeutics for glaucoma.