Effects of ranibizumab on TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 production by human Tenon’s fibroblasts: An in vitro study

PURPOSE: Inhibiting exaggerated wound healing responses, which are primarily mediated by human Tenon’s fibroblast (HTF) migration and proliferation, has become the major determining factor for a successful trabeculectomy. Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) has showed promising results as a potential antifibrotic candidate for use concurrently in trabeculectomy. Preliminary cohort studies have revealed improved bleb morphology following trabeculectomy augmented with ranibizumab. However, the effects on HTFs remain unclear. This study was conducted to understand the effects of ranibizumab on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 expression by HTFs. METHODS: The effect of ranibizumab on HTF proliferation and cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazone-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Ranibizumab at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/ml were administered for 24, 48, and 72 h in serum and serum-free conditions. Supernatants and cell lysates from samples were assessed for TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA and protein levels using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: At 48 h, 0.5 mg/ml of ranibizumab significantly induced cell death under serum-free culture conditions (p<0.05). Ranibizumab caused a significant reduction in TGF-β1 mRNA, but not for TGF-β2. However, the total protein production of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 was unaffected by this anti-VEGF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of HTFs to an intravitreal dose of ranibizumab significantly suppresses cell viability in vitro; however, the application seemed unable to affect the ultimate production of TGF-β. Therefore, we highlighted ranibizumab as a potential antiscarring agent that acts via a different mechanism when used synergistically with another antifibrotic agent. Understanding the mechanism of actions of ranibizumab offers an additional view of a possible new rational therapeutic strategy.