Diagnostics and therapeutics for glaucoma

[0027] 4.1. General

[0028] In general, the invention is based on the finding that frizzled related protein-1 (FRP-1) is upregulated in the trabecular meshwork (TM) of glaucoma patients. Although not wishing to be bound, it is thought that the Wnt signaling pathway works in the TM as depicted in FIG. 3(b) to regulate important trabecular meshwork cell functions and that FRP-1 antagonizes normal Wnt signaling, as shown in FIG. 3(a), thereby interfering with TM cell function.

[0029] 4.2 Definitions

[0030] For convenience, the meaning of certain terms and phrases employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are provided below.

[0031] The term "aberrant", as used herein is meant to refer to an alteration in a gene product level or bioactivity which is found in a glaucomatous tissue or cells but not in a nonglaucomatous tissue or cells. For example, an aberrantly high level of frizzle related protein gene product is associated with glaucomatous trabecular meshwork cells obtained