title: Inhibitory effects of tranilast on the proliferation and functions of human pterygium-derived fibroblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied the possibility that tranilast, an antiallergic and antiproliferative drug, may be beneficial for the treatment of pterygium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pterygium-derived cells were identified by immunohistochemical methods. Growth rate of pterygium-derived cells was determined by using a hemocytometer. Chemotaxis was determined in a microchemotaxis chamber. Pterygium-derived cells were cultured on floating collagen gel, and the contracted diameter was measured. Collagen synthesis by pterygium-derived cells was determined by the collagenase digestive method. Tranilast was added to the culture medium at final concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pterygium-derived cells were stained with anti-prolylhydroxylase and anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin, and identified as fibroblasts. Tranilast inhibited the proliferation and chemotaxis of pterygium-derived fibroblasts, and the collagen-gel contraction induced by these cells, but it exerted no inhibitory action on collagen synthesis by pterygium-derived fibroblasts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tranilast may be useful for suppressing the recurrence and, possibly, the development of pterygium.
authors.affiliation: Discovery Research R&D, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nagano-Pref., Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isaji
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ajisawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Araki-Inazawa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Amano
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D003094:Collagen; C012293:tranilast