Effect of cytokine and sandostatin on collagen synthesis and expression of procollagen mRNA by lens epithelial cells

Abstract

To study the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and sandostatin on collagen synthesis and expression of types I and III procollagen mRNA by bovine lens epithelial cells in vitro. Cells were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates. After attached, serum-free medium containing EGF 10(-2) - 10(2) ng/ml, IL-1 10 - 10(5) ng/ml, sandostatin 10(-11) - 10(-7) mol/L and IFN-gamma 10 - 10(5) U/ml were added into the plates. Collagen synthesis was measured with (3)H-proline incorperation, and expression of procollagen mRNA was detected with Northern blot. EGF 10(-1) - 10(2) ng/ml and IL-1 10(2) - 10(5) ng/ml obviously promoted collagen synthesis. EGF 1 ng/ml and IL-1 10(3) ng/ml increased the expression of types I and III procollagen mRNA. IFN-gamma 10(3) - 10(5) ng/ml and sandostatin 10(-10) - 10(-7) mol/L decreased collagen synthesis. IFN-gamma 10(3) U/ml and sandostatin 10(-9) mol/L decreased the expression of types I and III procollagen mRNA. EGF and IL-1 may enhance the occurrence of posterior capsular opacification, they affect types I and III procollagen gene expression at transcription level. IFN-gamma and sandostatin might be used to prevent the occurrence of posterior capsular opacification.