Natural Plant Extract Berbamine Is a Potent Inhibitor of Cell Growth and Survival of Human Tenon's Fibroblasts.
Ophthalmic Res 2020;
63:555-563. [PMID:
32079013 DOI:
10.1159/000506644]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Post-trabeculectomy scarring due to excessive proliferation of human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) often led to operation failure. Developing a new anti-fibrosis drug with high efficacy to inhibit HTF cell growth will greatly improve the effectiveness of trabeculectomy.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the effect of berbamine (BBM) treatment on the cell growth and survival of HTFs.
METHODS
Cultured human fetal Tenon's fibroblasts (HFTFs) were treated with or without different concentrations of BBM. Cell morphology was observed with a phase contrast microscope. A CCK-8 method and Ki67 immunofluorescence were used to determine cell viability and cell proliferation. A scratch test was used to study cell migration. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to detect cell apoptosis. The expression of BAX/BCL-2, ERK, and AKT/mTOR pathway components was determined by Western blotting.
RESULTS
BBM treatment disrupted HFTF normal morphology and inhibited its cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Ki67 immunofluorescence and scratch assay showed BBM suppressed HFTF cell proliferation and migration. Importantly, BBM dose-dependently increased the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and induced apoptosis in HFTF cells. Western blotting showed BBM significantly inhibited the ERK and AKT/mTOR pathway, and PTEN inhibition ameliorated the inhibitory effect of BBM on cell viability and survival in HFTFs.
CONCLUSIONS
BBM potently inhibits the cell growth and survival of HTFs through AKT/mTOR and has the potential to serve as an anti-fibrosis drug after trabeculectomy.
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