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Effects of atorvastatin on the function of Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts in human eyes

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the role of atorvastatin (ATO) in the prevention and treatment of the scarring of filtration channels after glaucoma surgery.

Methods

Human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) were co-cultured with various concentrations of ATO. First, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of ATO on the viability of HTFs. Then, after the ATO stimulated the HTFs for 24 h, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to evaluate the apoptosis of HTFs. Transwell assay was also performed to evaluate the migration of HTFs. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the protein expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β2 in the cell culture supernatant of HTFs. Western blot was carried out to detect the protein expression levels of smooth muscle actin (SMA), p38, Smad3, fibronectin, collagen I and collagen III in different groups.

Results

The results revealed that ATO could inhibit the proliferation and migration of HTFs. Based on the TUNEL assay, 100 μM and 150 μM ATO could induce cell apoptosis. The ELISA results indicated that ATO could down-regulate the expression level of TGF-β2, and western blot analysis revealed that the protein expression levels of SMA, p38, Smad3, fibronectin, collagen I and collagen III in the TGF-β2 group were all up-regulated compared with the control group, whereas the addition of ATO could reverse this up-regulation.

Conclusions

ATO could inhibit the proliferation and migration of HTFs and induce their apoptosis. It was preliminary proven that ATO could inhibit the signaling pathway induced by TGF-β. It is suggested that ATO could be a basis for the treatment of the scarring of filtration channels after glaucoma surgery.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article.

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Funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.: 81770923).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Research of Heilongjiang Province, No. 23, Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China

    Haiying Wei, Jian Wang, Ruiqi Wang, Yeqing Wang, Xiaodan Wang & Zhuolei Feng

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  1. Haiying Wei
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  2. Jian Wang
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  3. Ruiqi Wang
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  4. Yeqing Wang
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  5. Xiaodan Wang
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  6. Zhuolei Feng
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Contributions

ZLF and HYW were responsible for the conception and design of the research, and drafting the manuscript. JW performed the data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation. RQW, YQW and XDW participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Zhuolei Feng.

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Haiying Wei and Jian Wang are co-first authors.

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Wei, H., Wang, J., Wang, R. et al. Effects of atorvastatin on the function of Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts in human eyes. Int Ophthalmol 43, 3707–3715 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02780-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02780-5

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