In Vitro Comparison of the Effects of Clinically Available Ophthalmic Solutions of Gatifloxacin 0.3% and Moxifloxacin 0.5% on Human Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Adhesion and Migration and on Collagen Type IV Protein Expression

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effects of clinically available ophthalmic solutions of gatifloxacin 0.3% (Zymar; Allergan) and moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox; Alcon) on measures of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell function that are important for ocular healing. Methods: Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and the HC0597 human conjunctival cell line were exposed to media control or various dilutions (1:200, 1:100, 1:50, and 1:25) of gatifloxacin 0.3% or moxifloxacin 0.5%. Boyden chamber migration and rapid cell adhesion assays were conducted, and results were read by a masked observer. A western blot was used to visualize the expression of the collagen type IV in both cell types, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for this protein was conducted in HC0597 cells and for fibronectin in both cell types. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The Boyden assay revealed significantly more HC0597 cell migration with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:50 and 1:25 dilutions. The rapid cell adhesion assay with HC0597 cells revealed significantly greater adhesion with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% after 30 minutes at 1:100 and 1:25 and after 90 minutes at 1:200 and 1:25. This assay with HCECs after 60 minutes revealed significantly greater adhesion with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:25. Moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:25 produced visibly less expression of collagen type IV on western blot both of HC0597 cells and HCECs compared with gatifloxacin 0.3% and vehicle. ELISA results revealed significantly less expression of this protein in HC0597 cells and of fibronectin in both cell types. Conclusion: Overall, gatifloxacin 0.3% was significantly less toxic than moxifloxacin 0.5% at the 1:25 and 1:50 dilutions by most measures in this study.