Regulation of the Proliferation and Biosynthetic Activities of Cultured Human Peyronie's Disease Fibroblasts by Interferons-Alpha, -Beta and -Gamma

To determine the therapeutic potential of interferon (IFN) treatment for Peyronie's disease, we investigated the effect of human recombinant (hu-r) IFNs on cultured fibroblasts derived from a Peyronie's disease penile plaque. Treatment of cultured fibroblasts with hu-r-IFN-alpha2b, hu-r-IFN-beta-ser17 and hu-r-IFN gamma caused a concentration dependent inhibition of both fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, as well as an increase in collagenase production. Hu-r-IFN-alpha and beta had no effect on fibroblast glycosaminoglycan (GAG) or fibronectin production, while hu-r-IFN-gamma markedly increased both GAG and fibronectin production. These results demonstrate that IFNs, especially IFNs-alpha and beta, exhibit antifibrotic activity on Peyronie's disease fibroblasts and suggest a rationale for using IFNs to treat Peyronie's disease.