Tranilast inhibits TGF- A1 secretion without affecting its mRNA levels in conjunctival cells.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Tranilast, a drug developed as anti-keloid and anti-hypertrophic scar agent, on the level of transforming growth factor- A1 (TGF- A1) mRNA, and on TGF- A1 secretion in Chang Conjunctiva cells. TGF- A1 mRNA was not detected in Chang Conjunctiva cells by Northern blot analysis, but reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the presence of TGF- A1 mRNA. Tranilast, whereas the drug had no effect on the levels of TGF- A1 mRNA and cellular protein, time- and dose-dependently inhibited TGF- A1 secretion from Chang Conjunctiva cells in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. TGF- A1 is suggested to cause fibroblast proliferation, that obstructs aqueous humor filtration route after glaucoma filtration surgery. Tranilast, potentially inhibiting TGF- A1 secretion, therefore, could be a promising drug to prevent from scarring after glaucoma filtration surgery.