Inhibition of Rho kinase suppresses capsular contraction following lens injury in mice

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of systemic fasudil hydrochloride and an inhibitor of nuclear translocation of myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) on capsular contraction in a puncture-injured lens in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lens injury of an anterior capsular break was achieved in male adult C57Bl/6 mice under general and topical anesthesia at 1 h after systemic fasudil hydrochloride (intraperitoneal, 10 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle administration. The mice were allowed to heal after instillation of ofloxacin ointment, for 5 and 10 days with daily administration of fasudil hydrochloride or vehicle. In another series of experiment, we examined the effect of systemic administration of an MRTF-A inhibitor (CCG-203971, 100 mg/kg twice a day) on fibrogenic reaction and tissue contraction in an injured lens on day 5 or 10. The eye was processed for histology and immunohistochemistry for SM22, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), or MRTF-A. In hematoxylin and eosin - stained samples, the distance between each edge of the break of the anterior capsule was measured and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A cluster of lens cell accumulation was formed adjacent to the edge of the capsular break on day 5. It contained cells labeled for SM22 and PCNA. The size of the cell cluster was larger in fasudil group of mice than in control mice on day 5. Systemic fasudil or CCG-203971 suppressed an excess contraction of the capsular break at certain time points. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of fasudil hydrochloride could be a treatment strategy of postoperative capsular contraction following cataract-intraocular lens surgery.