Abstract
Purpose:
The cytokine transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) plays a major role to tissue fibrosis. Decorin, a naturally occurring TGF-ß inhibitor, can bind activated TGF-ß and suppress TGF-ß activity. We sought to invesitigate the role of decorin in experimental vitreoretinopathy and to develop novel methods of prevention.
Methods:
The effect of decorin on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) sheet growth was determined by measuring enlargement of cultured RPE sheets in the presence or absence of decorin. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RPE cells was assessed by expression of S100A4 and alpha smooth actin expression (αSMA). Type I collagen contraction assay were utilized to examine the effect of decorin on extracellular matrix (ECM) contraction.
Results:
Decorin did not prevent the growth of RPE sheets and EMT, however, suppressed the expression of αSMA in RPE sheets. Moreover, 150μg/ml of decorin inhibited nearly 70% of collagen gel contraction.
Conclusions:
Decorin significantly inhibited PVR-related RPE changes in vitro. Theses data suggested that decorin may be effective in the prevention of PVR.