Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits human Tenon fibroblast proliferation by guanosine depletion.

Background/aim: Mycophenolate mofetil could be a useful antiproliferative drug in glaucoma filtering surgery. In this study the authors set out to investigate whether growth inhibition of mycophenolate mofetil on human Tenon fibroblasts is mediated by guanosine depletion.

Methods: Cultured human Tenon fibroblasts were incubated in various concentrations of mycophenolate mofetil with and without supplementation of guanosine.

Results: Growth inhibition was concentration dependent. The effect could be completely antagonised by guanosine supplement.

Conclusion: Human Tenon fibroblasts depend on the de novo synthesis pathway of guanosine. No sufficient salvage pathway from purine degradation appears to exist.