Troglitazone induced apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway

Xiao-Xi Yang; Jian Chen; Qing Zhou; Xian-Yin Guo; Pan Xiao; Jing Wu; Jin-Tang Xu

doi:10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2011.02.06

Troglitazone induced apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway

Int J Ophthalmol. 2011;4(2):143-6. doi: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2011.02.06. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Authors

Xiao-Xi Yang¹, Jian Chen, Qing Zhou, Xian-Yin Guo, Pan Xiao, Jing Wu, Jin-Tang Xu

Affiliation

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.

PMID: 22553629
PMCID: PMC3340713
DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2011.02.06

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of troglitazone on primary culture human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF).

Methods: Cell viability loss and apoptosis were quantified by cell counting kit-8, AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining, caspases activity test and western blotting. Flow cytometry was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential.

Results: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) was positively expressed in pterygium specimens (n=5). Troglitazone showed dose-dependent inhibition of cell survival, induced phospholipids redistribution, activated caspase-3, -9, and altered mitochondrial potential. Western blot assay demonstrated the increase of Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio.

Conclusion: Troglitazone induced apoptosis of HPF through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway.

Keywords: apoptosis; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; pterygium; troglitazone.