Tacrolimus inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis by decreasing survivin in scar fibroblasts after glaucoma surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of tacrolimus on the proliferation of fibroblasts after glaucoma surgery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Biopsy was applied in this study. Under aseptic conditions, tissues were collected from rabbits, cut into small pieces and cultured. Morphology of fibroblasts was observed under a microscope. Features of fibroblasts were identified via immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to detect the expressions of related proteins after treatment. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay were employed to examine the proliferation of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) after tacrolimus treatment.

RESULTS

Tacrolimus decreased the levels of survivin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) after transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) treatment. Besides, it inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of HTFs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tacrolimus reduces proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HTFs by inhibiting the expression of survivin, which may be a strategy for treating hypertrophic scar after glaucoma surgery.