Effects of latanoprost and GLC756, a novel dopamine D2 agonist and D1 antagonist, on cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.

PURPOSE. Proliferation of subconjunctival fibroblasts plays a critical role in scarring and failure of glaucoma filtering surgery. Long-term topical glaucoma medications appear to increase fibroblast proliferation. In this study, the effects of topical antiglaucoma drugs latanoprost and GLC756, a novel dopamine D-2 agonist and D-1 antagonist, on cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) were examined. METHODS. The NHDF cellline was incubated with latanoprost, pros taglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)), GLC756, or 5-fluorouracil as a positive control at concentrations of 3 and 30 PM for 6, 18, and 24 hours. Fibroblast growth was measured by 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake using laser scanning cytometry. RESULTS. Latanoprost and PGF(2 alpha) had a biphasic response on the number of cultured NHDF positively stained with BrdU. A stimulating effect on proliferation occurred early, 6 hours after incubation, and an inhibitory effect 18 to 24 hours after incubation. GLC756, in contrast, revealed only inhibitory effects on BrdU uptake 18 to 24 hours after incubation. The pattern of GLC756 was similar to that of the positive control 5-fluorouracil. CONCLUSIONS. Latanoprost seemed to have a biphasic response on the proliferation of cultured NHDF First there was a stimulating thereafter a secondary negative modulating effect. GLC756 had a fully antiproliferative effect on the NHDF indicating an additional potential of novel dopamine compounds for topical glaucoma medication.