Decorin and suramin inhibit ocular fibroblast collagen production.

BACKGROUND: The process of ocular wound healing with respect to glaucomatous filtering procedures is of current interest. Delaying this response in patients could possibly lead to more favorable surgical results. So far, only highly toxic antimetabolites have come into frequent clinical use. The possible efficacy of other groups of substances such as growth factor inhibitors has not yet been examined in vitro.
METHODS: We exposed Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in tissue culture to various concentrations of decorin and suramin. The dose responses of type I and type III collagen to these inhibitors were measured using an ELISA-type dot blot assay. Total cellular protein production was assayed by measuring the incorporation of tritiated leucine.
RESULTS: At a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, suramin reduced the collagen production by more than 80%. Decorin, at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml, reduced type I collagen production by about 50% while type III collagen was reduced by 80%. At these concentrations, the total cellular protein production was not inhibited.
CONCLUSIONS: Both suramin and decorin, which specifically inhibit the action of growth factors on target cells, reduce the production of collagen synthesis by Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. This is a specific effect, because total protein production is not influenced. This sets these substances apart from antimetabolites. Decorin and suramin may have clinical relevance in that they appear to interfere with ocular wound healing more specifically than the substances so far frequently used.