Effects of Taxol and Mitomycin C on Morphologic Alteration of Cultured Rabbit Subconjunctival Fibroblasts

Purpose : Scar tissue formation by cell proliferation, migration and contraction of fibroblasts may result in the failure of trabeculectomy. The author investigated effects of Mitomycin C (MMC) and Taxol on morphologic alteration of cultured rabbit subconjunctival fibroblasts. Methods : Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, with antibodies against tubulin, was used to examine the effect of Mitomycin C and Taxol on cytoplasmic microtubules in rabbit. Tenon's fibroblast cells and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide dyes were used to determine cell viability and apoptosis at various concentrations of MMC and Taxol. Results : Taxol treated cell showed an increased intensity of microtubule staining around the nuclear region and morphologic differences in overall cell shape, and MMC treated cells were noted more prominent apoptotic changes. Conclusions : Our result suggested that Taxol might be as potent inhibitor of fibroblast proliferation as Mitomycin C, and therefore, might be used for improving the success rate of trabeculectomy.