AIM: To investigate the changes of fibronectin expression in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells when cells were stimulated by different concentrations of IL-6 to provide evidence for early diagnosis and new therapy of POAG.

METHODS: We identify third-generation bovine trabecular meshwork cells which were got from tissue mass culture method. Then the relative expression of FN gene and protein in cells were detected by Real-Time PCR and Western-blot after 24h stimulation with 0ng/mL, 0.1ng/mL, 0.5ng/mL IL-6.

RESULTS: The cultured bovine trabecular cells are coincident with what recorded in the book. Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that the amount of FN mRNA produced by cells was 1.000±0.000, 0.213±0.004, 0.056±0.001, 0.019±0.002 respectively, and the protein expression was 1.167±0.012, 0.662±0.009, 0.238±0.011, 0.061±0.011 respectively. There was a significant difference among four groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells have a negative correlation with the expression of FN protein after being stimulated by exogenous IL-6, and the results are consistent with the actual state of the disease. We speculate that the IL-6 participate in the pathogenesis and progression of POAG by affecting the expression of FN gene and protein and changing the structure of trabecular meshwork.