Role of rapamycin on cultured human Tenon′s capsule fibroblasts

Objective: To explore the effect of rapamycin on the proliferation and differentiation of human Tenon′s capsule fibroblasts in cell cycles.Methods: The cultured fibroblasts were treated in DMEM medium containing various concentrations of rapamycin for 24 hours.The growth of fibroblasts was measured by a methylthiazlyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay.The flow cytometry method was used to evaluate the cell cycles.Results: Proliferation of fibroblasts were suppressed by rapamycin from a dose of 10 ng/ml to 160 ng/ml(P0.05).The cell growth inhibition rate treated with rapamycin concentrations of 10 ng/ml,20 ng/ml,40 ng/ml,80 ng/ml,and 160 ng/ml were 9.32%,22.55%,41.42%,42.25%,and 43.57% respectively.The cell population was significantly increased at the G0/Gl phase from 41.76% to 44.19% and decreased at the S phase from 45.42% to 40.18% after the rapamycin treatment.Conclusion: Rapamycin is a potential inhibitor that blocks the proliferation of human Tenon′s capsule fibroblasts at the Gl restriction point.