Inhibitory effects of interleukin-1 blockers on corneal fibroblast proliferation.

The regulation of would healing is one of the most important fields of research in ophthalmology today. Rabbit corneal fibroblast cultures were used to study the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers on the proliferation of fibroblasts which is closely related to the wound healing. It was found that IL-1 blockers, such as CK-17, CK-101A, CK-2 and CK-103A, suppress fibroblast proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA synthesis was significantly inhibited by CK-17 and CK-103A but not by CK-101A and CK1-102. Although the synthesis of mRNA was reduced by all CK-compounds at most concentration tested, the synthesis of protein was only slightly reduced or unaffected. These results indicate that CK-compounds are potent fibroblast inhibitors but not cytolytic agents.