Inhibition of interleukin-1-induced uveitis and corneal fibroblast proliferation by interleukin-1 blockers

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is known to trigger induction of inducible nitric oxid e synthase (iNOS) to persistently mass produce nitric oxide (NO) to induce various diseases such as cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease and eye diseases, including uveitis, retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and myopia. Therefore, IL-1 blockers could become an important cl ass of drugs to fight numerous diseases. Among the many compounds studied s o far, 1-methyl hydrazino analogs are among the most promising agents to be developed. A minor structural change of 1-methyl hydrazino group into 1-me thyl thiosemicarbazido group enhanced their anti-inflammatory activity but reduced their antiproliferation activity on corneal fibroblast cell growth.