An isotonic preparation of 1 mg/ml indocyanine green is not toxic to hyperconfluent ARPE19 cells, even after prolonged exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the in vitro toxicity of indocyanine green and infracyanine green (ICG) to cultured ARPE19 cells, in particular with respect to the concentration and time dependence of this toxicity.


METHODS
ARPE19 cells were grown for at least 1 week past confluence (hyperconfluent cells) before being subjected to challenge with ICG. Cell survival was tested with the MTT assay.


RESULTS
When applied in isotonic solutions, ICG in all concentrations (below 5 mg/ml) and at all exposure times tested (2 mins-2 hours) was found not to affect the survival of ARPE19 cells. ARPE19 cultures older than 30 days were more resistant to a 5 mg/ml hypotonic ICG solution than younger cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
When toxicity of ICG was tested in hyperconfluent ARPE19 cultures, these cells were found to be more resistant to the dye than has been previously reported for more immature ARPE19 cells.
Kiilgaard
Jens Folke
JF
University of Copenhagen, Eye Department, KAS Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.
Nissen
Mogens Holst
MH
la Cour
Morten
M
D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000633:toxicity*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000633:toxicity; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D013997:Time Factors
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D007208:Indocyanine Green