Inhibitory effects of tranilast on the proliferation and functions of human pterygium-derived fibroblasts.
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.
Isaji
M
M
Discovery Research R&D, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nagano-Pref., Japan.
Kikuchi
S
S
Miyata
H
H
Ajisawa
Y
Y
Araki-Inazawa
K
K
Tsukamoto
Y
Y
Amano
Y
Y
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*
D000199:Actins; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D003094:Collagen; C012293:tranilast