Inhibition of α5β1-integrin significantly improves the surgical outcome of glaucoma surgery in mice compared to MMC

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of α5β1-integrin inhibitor (CLT-28643) to improve the outcome of filtering surgery in a mouse model. Different dose regimen and administration routes of the inhibitor were compared to mitomycin C (MMC), the gold standard in clinical practice. Methods The efficacy of CLT-28643 on surgical outcome was studied in a mouse model for filtering surgery (n=40 eyes from 20 mice per group). Group 1 received a single subconjunctival (SC) injection of 2 µg of the integrin inhibitor immediately after surgery, whereas repeated SC injections were administered on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 in groups 2 and 3 (2 and 1 µg, respectively). Group 4 received topical eye drops containing 10 µg of the compound 3 times daily. MMC 0.02% was applied for 2 minutes in group 5 and repeated SC injections of NaCl were given in the last group. Treatment outcome was studied by a masked observer every other day by clinical investigation of the bleb until postoperative day 28. Results Surgical outcome was improved in all treatment groups compared to NaCl treated eyes (P