Inhibition of fibroblast-like cell proliferation by interleukin-1 blockers, CK-119 and CK-122

Aim: To study potent and nontoxic agents to inhibit fibroblast proliferation.

Methods: Fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cells were cultured and inhibited by interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers, dihydropyridazino-pyridazines CK-119 and CK-122. The cell growth and syntheses of DNA, RNA, and protein after IL-1 blocker incubation were determined.

Results: CK-119 and CK-122 inhibited cell growth of corneal fibroblast at 30 mg.L-1. DNA and RNA syntheses in corneal fibroblasts were markedly inhibited by CK-119 and CK-122 whereas protein synthesis was either unaffected or mostly enhanced at 30-100 mg.L-1 and 100-300 mg.L-1, respectively. Similar results were obtained in conjunctival cell cultures by CK-119 and CK-122 at 3-10 mg.L-1 and 30-100 mg.L-1, respectively.

Conclusion: CK-119 and CK-122 are potent IL-1 blockers to inhibit cell growth of fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cells mainly through the inhibition of DNA and RNA syntheses but not protein synthesis.