Effect of transforming growth factor-β₂ on phagocytosis in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells

Summary

The effect of transforming growth factor-β₂ (TGF-β₂) on phagocytosis in bovine trabecular meshwork cellsin vitro was investigated. After the cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells were treated with 0 ng/ml, 0.32 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml, 3. 2 ng/ml TGF-β₂ for 24 h, latex beads were added into the incubation medium, and the numbers of the latex beads in 20 adjacent cells were counted under a microscope 24 h later, after treatment with Wright’s stain. Our results showed that the average numbers of the latex beads in the trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF-β₂ of different concentrations were 53. 1±1. 7 beads/cell, 56. 4±2. 9 beads/cell and 77. 9±6. 5 beads/cell respectinvely, in comparison with 45. 5 ±3. 3 beads/cell of the control group. TGF-β₂ significantly increased the number of the latex beads phagocytosed by cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells in a dose-dependent manner. TGF-β₂ could promote the phagocytosis of bovine trabecular meshwork cellsin vitro. It may be involved in the cellularity decrease of the trabecular meshwork in the patients of primary open angle glaucoma through promoting the phagocytosis of trabecular meshwork cells.