Inhibitory effect of Trapidil on the proliferation of bovine corneal fibroblasts in vitro

Abstract 

· Background: In order to develop new strategies for the pharmacological modulation of posttraumatic and postsurgical wound healing of the corneal stroma, the effect of Trapidil, a competitive platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) antagonist, on the proliferation of cultured bovine stromal fibroblasts (BSF) was investigated. · Methods: BSF, obtained from explant cultures, were seeded at a cell density of 100/mm². The effect of various concentrations of Trapidil on cell viability and cell proliferation was determined using three different culture conditions: (1) serum-free medium (WM/F12), (2) serum-containing medium (WM/F12+10% FCS), and (3) serum-free medium +50 ng/ml PDGF-BB. Trapidil was added in concentrations ranging from 100 μg/ml to 400 μg/ml. Cell numbers were determined 2 and 5 days after addition of Trapidil, using a computer-based cell-counting system. Cell viability was evaluated morphologically and by means of a repopulation assay. · Results: Addition of Trapidil (100–400 μg/ml) led to a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of both serum- and PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of BSF. In contrast, treatment of quiescent BSF, cultured in serum-free medium, did not result in a significant reduction of cell number. No cytotoxic effects were observed. · Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate an inhibitory effect of Trapidil on the proliferation of BSF. It can be assumed that application of Trapidil might be a useful tool in the prevention of corneal complications after trauma (e.g., scarring, astigmatism and – with respect to photorefractive procedures – formation of haze and regression of the refractive effect).