IGF-1 counteracts TGF-β-mediated enhancement of fibronectin for in vitro human lens epithelial cells

Purpose: To determine whether insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) affects transforming growth factor (TGF-β)-mediated fibronectin accumulation in human lens epithelial cell line (BLE B-3) cells. Materials and Methods: HLE B-3 cells were incubated for 24 hours with TGF-β (10 ng/mL), IGF-1 (10 ng/mL), or both. Expression of the fibronectin gene was determined using a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fibronectin levels were examined using western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Result: Expression of the fibronectin gene was not different between the TGF-β/IGF-1 treated group and the TGF-β treated group (p = 0.116). However, western blot analysis demonstrated decreased fibronectin levels in human lens epithelial cells treated with TGF-β and IGF-1 compared to those treated with TGF-β only (p<0.01). Immunofluorescence staining disclosed inhibition of TGF-β-induced fibronectin in the presence of IGF-1. Conclusion: This study suggests that IGF-1 counteracts TGF-β-mediated fibronectin accumulation in human lens epithelial cells.