Tacrolimus inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis by decreasing survivin in scar fibroblasts after glaucoma surgery

X.-C. Wang, T. Wang, Y. Zhang, L.-L. Wang, R.-Y. Zhao, W. Tan

Graduate School of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China. tanwei950118@sina.com

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• Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of tacrolimus on the proliferation of fibroblasts after glaucoma surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy was applied in this study. Under aseptic conditions, tissues were collected from rabbits, cut into small pieces and cultured. Morphology of fibroblasts was observed under a microscope. Features of fibroblasts were identified via immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to detect the expressions of related proteins after treatment. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay were employed to examine the proliferation of human Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) after tacrolimus treatment.

RESULTS: Tacrolimus decreased the levels of survivin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) after transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) treatment. Besides, it inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of HTFs.

CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus reduces proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HTFs by inhibiting the expression of survivin, which may be a strategy for treating hypertrophic scar after glaucoma surgery.

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