In vitro effects of gamma-interferon on Tenon's capsule fibroblast collagen and laminin production in the presence of transforming growth factor-beta

We examined the relationship between duration of gamma-interferon (G-IFN) exposure and its effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) production, type I collagen C-terminal peptides (PIP) and laminin (LN), in the presence or absence of Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) by cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (TCFs) in vitro, as all indication of possibility of this agent in antifibrotic therapy after glaucoma filtering surgery. TGF-beta 1 increased the concentrations of PIP both in the medium and in the cell lysate, but not LN. In the presence of TGF-beta 1, G-IFN (100-1000 IU/ml) decreased PIP and LN concentrations in the medium below the level of the control, and gamma-IFN decreased PIP and LN level in cell lysate to control level. No specific cytotoxic effect was observed in TEM observation. These results suggest that G-IFN may be clinically effective in attenuating scar formation in the bleb after glaucoma filtering surgery.