Inhibitory Effect of Tranilast on the Proliferation of Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells and Subconjunctival Fibroblasts

Park, Do Hoon; Lee, Soo Jong

Abstract

PURPOSE: Tanilast has been clinically used for various allergic diseases. Recently, it has also been found to inhibit excessive scarring in wound healing process. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of Tranilast on the proliferation of human conjunctival epithelial cells and subconjunctival fibroblasts.
METHODS
Human conjunctival epithelial cells and subconjunctival fibroblasts were exposed for 24 hours to Tranilast 0.05, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/ml. MTT based calorimetric assay was performed to assess the metabolic activity and inhibition of cellular proliferation.
RESULTS
As the concentration of Tranilast increased, the absorbance of spectrometer decreased. Inhibitory effect of cellular proliferation was stronger in subconjunctival fibroblasts than in conjunctival epithelial cells. The inhibitory effect of celluar proliferation in conjunctival epithelial cells was 75%, 66%, 64%, 59%, and 39% at 0.05, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/ml, respectively (LD50 was 0.9 mg/ml). In subconjunctival fibroblasts, the inhibitory effect of celluar proliferation was 66%, 62%, 47%, 33%, and 23% at 0.05, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/ml, respectively (LD50 was 0.3 mg/ml).
CONCLUSION
Tranilast may prevent excessive proliferation of both human conjunctival epithelial cells and subconjunctival fibroblasts. This inhibitory effect on cellular proliferation was higher in subconjunctival fibroblasts than in conjunctival epithelial cells, suggesting the possibility of being used after glaucoma filtering surgery or pterygium excision.