ABSTRACT
BackgroundResearches found that the posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after lensextraction is associated with the elevation of the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β).To seek the drug for inhibitingproliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) is crucial in the treatment and prevention of PCO.ObjectiveThisstudy was to investigate the preventing effects of decorin on the proliferation of LECs.MethodsRabbit LECs wascultured and passaged.The LECs in growth phase were incubated in 96 well plate at the density of 8×106/L.Decorinwith the concentrations 0.1,1.0,10.0 mg/L was added into the medium for 24,48 and 72 hours respectively.0.1％DMSO was used at the same way as positive control group,and the regular cultured cells worked as blank controlgroup.The inhibitory rates of different concentrations of decorin on the growth of LECs were detected by MTT at 24,48and 72 hours after addition of decorin.The percentage of LECs in different cell cycles in various groups was assayedusing flow cytometry.TGF-β level in medium suspension was detected using ELISA.The expression of TGF-β mRNA in LECs was checked by RT-PCR,and α-SMA expression in LECs was determined using immunochemistry.Results ELISA assay showed a statistical difference in the TGF-β levels of different groups (F=39.24,P=0.03 ).The TGF-β levels in 1.0,10.0 mg/L decorin groups were significantly decreased in comparison with blank control group (P＜0.01) and 0.1 mg/L decorin group (P＜0.05 ).The inhibitory rates of decorin in the concentrations of ≥ 1.0 mg/L on the growth of LECs were higher than the blank control group,and those in various concentrations of decorin groups were considerably lower in 24 hours compared with 48 and 72 hours ( P＜0.05 ) and so was the 48 hours compared with 72 hours (P＜0.05 ).The percentages of LECs in G0/G1 phase were ascent in 0.1,1.0 and 10.0 mg/L decorin groups in comparison with G2/M and S phase (P＜0.05).Immunochemistry revealed the weak expression of α-SMA in various decorin groups in comparison with control group. Conclusions Decorin can effectively inhibit LECs growth and induce LECs apoptosis in concentration- and time-dependent manner.It is suggested that decorin can be used in the prevention and treatment of after cataract.