Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of besifloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone under clinical evaluation for the treatment of ophthalmic infections, in human corneal epithelial cells.
Methods: :
Cytokine expression in primary human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiC) was stimulated by IL-1ß and Luminex technology was used to determine the effect of besifloxacin on IL-1ß-induced cytokine expression. Moxifloxacin, a marketed fluoroquinolone, was used as the control. NFkB activation was assessed by measuring IΚB degradation and NFΚB nuclear translocation by Western blotting.
Results: :
IL-1ß induced measurable cytokine expression for 12 of the 14 cytokines detected. Besifloxacin significantly inhibited IL-1ß-stimulated cytokine production in a dose-dependent manner, with a comparable (G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1ß) or better (TGF-α and TNF-α) potency compared to moxifloxacin. A significant inhibitory effect of besifloxacin was observed at 1 or 10 µg/mL. Besifloxacin inhibited both IΚB degradation and NFΚB nuclear translocation.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • cytokines/chemokines