Effects of gamma-interferon on keratocyte-induced collagen gel contraction and keratocyte proliferation.
OBJECTIVE
Gamma-interferon has been shown to be an effective immunoregulatory polypeptide that can modulate fibroblastic response. We investigated the effects of gamma-interferon on keratocyte proliferation and keratocyte-induced collagen gel contraction.


METHODS
Gamma-interferon in concentrations of 0.01, 1, 100, and 1000 U/ml of media was added to keratocytes embedded in polymerized type I collagen and the gel area was measured after 5 days with an image analysis system. The rate of keratocyte proliferation within and outside the collagen gel under the influence of gamma-interferon was also investigated.


RESULTS
Keratocyte-induced collagen gel contraction was significantly inhibited at all concentrations above 0.01 U/ml. The keratocyte proliferation was not affected by low and moderate concentrations and was significantly stimulated at concentration of 1000 U/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Keratocyte-induced collagen gel contraction is inhibited by gamma-interferon and the mechanism of this effect is not inhibition of keratocyte proliferation by gamma-interferon.
Pakkar
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California School of Medicine and Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Rofougaran
R
R
Lu
K
K
Wee
W R
WR
Isfahani
A K
AK
McDonnell
P J
PJ
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D005782:Gels; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003094:Collagen