Down-regulation of androgen receptor expression and inhibition of lacrimal gland cell proliferation by retinoic acid.

Androgens and retinoids are known to be involved in control of lacrimal gland function. Because retinoids generally antagonize androgen function it was the purpose of this study to investigate interactions of retinoic acid and androgens in rabbit lacrimal acinar cells in culture by determining effects of retinoic acid on androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression, AR protein levels and androgen-stimulated cell proliferation. Experiments were conducted using primary rabbit lacrimal acinar cells and a transformed rabbit lacrimal acinar cell line.