How the revolution in cell biology will affect glaucoma: Biomarkers

Multiple biomarker panels of common, multifactorial diseases - such as cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease - have recently been described, facilitating the diagnosis and risk management of these diseases. In principle, a biomarker is an indicator of a biochemical feature or facet that can be used to diagnose or monitor the progress of a disease. Detection technology has been identified for possible types of biomarkers in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We will summarize known biomarkers with the intent of cataloging the biomarkers in the aqueous humor, trabecular meshwork (TM), optic nerve, and blood in patients with POAG. To facilitate comparisons and to offer mechanistic clues, biochemical changes such as up- or downregulation of proteins that have been reported in POAG are organized into three categories: namely, extra-cellular matrix (ECM) changes, cytokine/signaling molecules, and aging/stress (listed respectively in Tables 82.1, 82.2, and 82.3).