[Effects of local administration of interferon-beta on proliferation of the retinal pigment epithelium].
OBJECTIVE
We demonstrated effects of local administration of human interferon (IFN)-beta on the repair process of the rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).


METHODS
We used adult pigmented rabbits in this experiment. We measured IFN-beta levels in the ocular tissues after sub-Tenon administration of human IFN-beta by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Laser photocoagulation in moderate intensity was applied after IFN administration. The repair process of the RPE in laser lesion sites was examined histopathologically.


RESULTS
Locally administrated IFN spread by diffusion into the intraocular tissues. The highest IFN level was detected in the choroid. In eyes treated with IFN, RPE cells proliferated vigorously to the center of the photocoagulated lesions on early stages after laser photocoagulation. Proliferation of RPE cells after laser photocoagulation was remarkable in eyes treated with large amounts of IFN.


CONCLUSIONS
It was demonstrated histopathologically that sub-Tenon administration of IFN-beta promoted proliferation of RPE cells during the repair process after laser photocoagulation.
Kimoto
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan.
Takahashi
K
K
Tobe
T
T
Fujimoto
K
K
Uyama
M
M
Sone
S
S
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits
D016899:Interferon-beta