Corneal endothelium is a target tissue for retinoids and epidermal growth factor (EGF). We report here that retinoic acid and its synthetic analog, CBS-211 A (10(-8)-10(-7) M), enhance the mitogenic effect of EGF on cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC). Furthermore, retinoid treatment increases the EGF-binding capacity of BCEC. The addition of cycloheximide (0.5 micrograms/ml) to cultures simultaneously with retinoids suppressed the retinoid effect on EGF-binding. These results suggest that retinoids could induce the expression of EGF receptors on BCEC as an early event. This study demonstrates a cooperation between retinoids and EGF in corneal endothelium and suggests that retinoids could have a beneficial effect on this tissue repair in vivo.

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PubMedDate not supplied

[New perspectives in the pharmacological treatment of glaucoma].

Open angle glaucoma is an optic neuropathy, the etiology of which is still unknown and which has not yet satisfactory therapy. Intraocular hypertension due to a decrease in trabecular out flow facility, is a risk factor. The side effects caused by ocular hypotensive treatments justify the search for better-tolerated drugs. A survey of the new approaches is reported: carbonic anhydrase inhibition, renin-angiotensin system inhibition, glucocorticoid antagonism, the use of prostaglandins etc. are evoked, as well as other more speculative ways: antioxidant treatments. Glaucoma which is characterized by ganglion cell degeneration probably related to a vascular defect, deserves to be studied from this point of view. Recent data on vascular and haemorheological abnormalities and the possible involvement of excitotoxic neurotransmitters in pathological process open a novel way for really innovative pharmacological research.

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