Effects of Local Administration of Interferon-β on Proliferation of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Abstract Purpose: We demonstrated effects of local administration of human interferon(IFN)-β on the repair process of the rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Material and Methods: We used adult pigmented rabbits in this experiment. We measured IFN-β levels in the ocular tissues after sub-Tenon administration of human INF-β by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Laser photocoagulation in moderate intensity was applied after IFN administration. The repair process of the RPE in laser lesion sites was examined histopathologically. Results: Locally administrated IFN spread by diffusion into the intraocular tissues. The highest IFN level was detected in the choroid. In eyes treated with IFN, RPE cells proliferated vigorously to the center of the photocoagulated lesions in early stages after laser photocoagulation. Proliferation of RPE cells after laser photocoagulation was remarkable in eyes treated with large amounts of IFN. Conclusion: It was demonstrated histopathologically that sub-Tenon administration of IFN-β promoted proliferation of RPE cells during the repair process after laser photocoagulation. (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc 103:363–370, 1999)