Effects of Gelatin Hydrogel Containing Anti-Transforming Growth Factor-ß Antibody in a Canine Filtration Surgery Model.

ABSTRACT

In this present study, we investigated the effect of a controlled release of anti-transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) antibody on intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb formation, and conjunctival scarring in a canine glaucoma filtration surgery model using gelatin hydrogel (GH). Glaucoma surgery models were made in 14 eyes of 14 beagles and divided into the following two groups (1) subconjunctival implantation of anti-TGF-ß antibody-loaded GH (GH-TGF-ß group, n = 7), and (2) subconjunctival implantation of GH alone (GH group, n = 7). IOP and bleb features were then assessed in each eye at 2- and 4-weeks postoperative, followed by histological evaluation. We found that IOP was significantly reduced at 4-weeks postoperative in the two groups (p < 0.05) and that IOP in the GH-TGF-ß-group eyes was significantly lower than that in the GH-group eyes (p = 0.006). In addition, the bleb score at 4-weeks postoperative was significantly higher in the GH-TGF-ß group than in the GH group (p < 0.05), and the densities of fibroblasts, proliferative-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells, mast cells, and TGF-ß-positive cells were significantly lower in the GH-TGF-ß group than in the GH group. The findings of this study suggest that, compared with the GH-group eyes, implantation of anti-TGF-ß antibody-loaded GH maintains IOP reduction and bleb formation by suppressing conjunctival scarring due to the proliferation of fibroblasts for a longer time period via a sustained release of anti-TGF-ß antibody from GH.