Inhibition of collagen synthesis in human episcleral fibroblasts by calcium ionophore a23187.
OBJECTIVE
To test the ability of calcium ionophore A23187 to specifically inhibit collagen biosynthesis in primary cultures of human episcleral fibroblasts obtained at the time of trabeculectomy.


METHODS
Calcium ionophore A23187-treated and untreated (control) cultures were incubated with radiolabeled proline. Radioactivity of collagenasesensitive and -resistant proteins was assayed to determine the rate of collagen production.


RESULTS
The relative rate of collagen production as compared to the percent of total protein production decreased by 65% in the cultures treated with 2.0 muM ionophore. Additionally, there was a 78% decrease in absolute collagen production in the treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcium ionophore A23187 inhibits collagen biosynthesis in cultured human episcleral fibroblasts. It is possible that inhibition of collagen biosynthesis could enhance treatment of ocular fibroproliferative disorders, including episcleral fibroproliferation, a leading cause of glaucoma filtering surgery failure.
Assil
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*Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; daggerEmory Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and Departments of double daggerOphthalmology and section signMedicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, U.S.A.
Saperstein
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Weinreb
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Chojkier
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