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- Title
Brimonidine reduces TGF-beta-induced extracellular matrix synthesis in human Tenon's fibroblasts.
- Authors
Samin Hong; Sueng-Han Han; Chan Yun Kim; Kang Yoon Kim; Yoo Kyung Song; Gong Je Seong
- Abstract
Background: Brimonidine is a highly selective α2 adrenergic agonist that has been widely used in anti-glaucoma eyedrops. The aim of this study was to investigate its putative anti-fibrotic role in the fibrosis caused by activated Tenon's fibroblasts. Methods: Primary cultured human Tenon's fibroblasts were exposed to 2.0 ng/mL of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for up to 48 h. In the presence of various concentrations of brimonidine (from 0.0 to 10.0 µM), the expression levels of fibronectin, collagen types I and III, and β-actin were determined by Western immunoblots. The expression of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 (p-SMAD2/3) was then evaluated using immunofluorescence. Results: TGF-β1 significantly increased the synthesis of fibronectin and collagens in human Tenon's fibroblasts; however brimonidine treatment distinctly attenuated the TGF-β1-induced production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. TGF-β1 also changed the cellular morphology to be plump, while brimonidine treatment returned the cells to a spindle shape, similar to control fibroblasts. Regarding p-SMAD2/3, brimonidine treatment did not show any apparent changes in its expression. Conclusions: Our data revealed that brimonidine reduces TGF-β-induced ECM synthesis in human Tenon's fibroblasts in vitro. This finding implies that topical administration of brimonidine may be helpful in reducing the fibrosis caused by the long-term use of topical anti-glaucoma medications.
- Subjects
ADRENERGIC agonists; GLAUCOMA treatment; EYE drops; FIBROBLASTS; FIBROSIS; TRANSFORMING growth factors-beta; CELL morphology; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
BMC Ophthalmology, 2015, Vol 15, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1471-2415
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12886-015-0045-8