title: Thalidomide and prednisolone inhibit growth factor-induced human retinal pigment epithelium cell proliferation in vitro.
abstract: Thalidomide and prednisolone were recently introduced as treatment modalities in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Growth factor-induced activation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is a crucial event in this disease. The purpose was to examine the effect of thalidomide and prednisolone on growth factor-preactivated RPE cells. Human RPE cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for 24 h. Afterwards, thalidomide (50 microg/ml) or prednisolone (100 ng/ml) were added for 24 h. RPE cell proliferation was determined by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. PDGF and bFGF significantly stimulated human RPE cell proliferation (p < 0.005), the value for VEGF stimulation was not significant (p = 0.3). The effect of the growth factors was diminished after addition of thalidomide and prednisolone (p < 0.005). The current study shows that the inhibitory properties of thalidomide and prednisolone remain even after growth factor activation of the cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaven
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Spraul
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zavazava
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances; D013792:Thalidomide; D011239:Prednisolone