[Effect of interleukin-1alpha on the phagocytic function in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) on the phagocytic function in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.

Methods: HTM Cells were cultured and subcultured in vitro. The third to fifth passage of HTM cells were treated with different concentrations of IL-1alpha or vehicle in DMEM/F12 medium. 1000 of 0.85 microm microsphere/per cell were added to each well. The morphological changes of HTM cells were observed by an inverted phase-contrast microscope and electron microscope. The cellular phagocytic function of HTM cells was evaluated by counting the numbers of microsphere in 20 HTM cells using a light microscope.

Results: The break of HTM cell membrane was found under the electron microscope. The numbers of microsphere in HTM cells was significantly (P = 0.005) reduced in a dose- and incubation time-dependent manner (F = 3.603, P = 0.046, F = 15.846, P = 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions: IL-1alpha affects the phagocytic function of HTM cells that is correlated to the concentration and the incubation time.