Anti-fibrosis potential of pirarubicin via inducing apoptotic and autophagic cell death in rabbit conjunctiva. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Li-Juan; Rong, Shi-Song; Xu, Ye-Sheng; Zheng, Li-Bin; Qiu, Wen-Ya; Zhang, Xia; Jiang, Lou-Jing; Duan, Run-Ping; Tian, Tian; Yao, Yu-Feng
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 200(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Pirarubicin -- Fibrosis -- Fibroblasts -- Autophagy -- Apoptosis; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the potential efficacy of pirarubicin (THP) in modulating rabbit conjunctival fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo and characterized the underlying mechanisms. Primary rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts (RCF) were cultured and treated with THP or mitomycin C (MMC) for 5 min, followed by assaying for cell viability, cell cycle distribution, apoptotic and autophagic pathways. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chemotaxis of macrophages by RCF were evaluated using 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) labeling and transwell migration assay, respectively. Limbal stem cell excision in combination with alkali burn was performed on the rabbits to establish a model of limbal deficiency and conjunctival fibro-vascular invasion. After three months, the modeled fibro-vascular tissue was excised combined with topical subconjunctival 5-min exposure to THP compared with MMC intraoperatively. The recurrence of postoperative fibrosis and the expression of apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All modeled rabbits developed conjunctival fibro-vascular lesions, which were similar to human recurrent pterygium (HRP). Both THP and MMC inhibited RCF proliferation and arrested cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. In particular, 7.5 μmol/L THP remarkably promoted RCF autophagy by upregulating the levels of Beclin 1, Atg 5/12 conjugate, and LC3B, whereas, 15 μmol/L THP significantly triggered a cascade of mitochondrial-associated RCF apoptosis. THP induced the production of ROS and enhanced the chemoattraction of macrophages by RCF. Similar to 600 μmol/L MMC, both 7.5 μmol/L and 15 μmol/L THP attenuated postoperative conjunctival fibrosis in the models; 7.5 μmol/L THP preferentially enhanced autophagy while causing fewer side effects. THP exerted its antifibrotic action by modulating autophagy in RCF, inducing cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. THP at the dose of 7.5 μmol/L prevented postoperative conjunctival fibrosis in an animal model. Highlights: THP inhibited rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts proliferation and arrested cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. THP induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and modulated autophagy in rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts. 7.5 μmol/L THP may serve as a potential therapy for conjunctival fibrosis. The excision of limbal stem cells resulted in the formation of conjunctival fibrovascular tissues in rabbits.