Purpose: To study the antiproliferative effect of gamma-interferon and heparin on rabbit lens epithelial cell(RLEC).
Methods: First passage RLEC was obtained from healthy New zealand white rabbits. Third passage cells were incubated with gamma-interferon with concentration from 0.1 u/ml to 10,000 u/ml and heparin with concentration from 100-5,000 u/ml for 48 hours. The Mosmann's MTT colorimeltric assay was used to quantitate the RLEC proliferative activation.
Results: In lower concentration groups (0.1-100 u/ml), gamma-interferon had no antiproliferative effect on RLEC, while in higher concentration groups (1,000 u/ml-10,000 u/ml) it exhibited some antiproliferative effect on RLEC, the rate of inhibition were 27% and 38%, respectively. Heparin of all experimental groups had antiproliferative effect on RLEC.
Conclusion: gamma-interferon and heparin with certain concentration can inhibit proliferation of RLEC directly.