[Retinoic acid inhibits the proliferation of dividing cells in peripheral corneal epithelium].

The regulation of proliferation of transient amplifying cells from the corneal epithelium by all-trans-retinoic acid was investigated by means of a serum-free clonal growth assay. While retinoic acid did not alter cell attachment, a dose-dependent and significant inhibition of both colony formation and clonal proliferation was observed. The data indicate that retinoic acid inhibits the proliferation of corneal transient amplifying cells. Therefore, retinoic acid might also play a role in regulating the proliferation of the corneal epithelium in vitro.