Abstract
Purpose: :
To identify the effects of green tea polyphenol (GTP) on proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and senescence in human corneal cells.
Methods: :
20–200 µg/ml GTP was treated in three types of human corneal cells (epithelial cells, keratocytes, and endothelial cells), and observed their morphological changes. In order to investigate the effects of GTP on proliferation or cytotoxicity of human corneal cells, MTT assay was performed in GTP–treated human corneal cells. Cell cycle regulation by GTP was assessed by the mRNA expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins using RT–PCR. Cellular senescence by GTP treatment was also investigated by RT–PCR of several senescence markers including ß–galactosidase between early and late passages of the cells.
Results: :
MTT assay showed the delayed and discontinuous proliferation in 20 µg and 200 µg of GTP–treated human corneal cells, respectively. 200 µg GTP–treated cells showed significantly decreased expression of cyclin D1 and E. Moreover, compared to non–treated cells, GTP treatment decreased the mRNA expression of senescence markers in late passages of the cells.
Conclusions: :
These results suggest that GTP treatment affect proliferation of human corneal cells and optimal concentrations of GTP treatment can delay the cellular senescence.
Keywords: cornea: basic science