Low-Dose Colchicine Inhibits Astrocyte, Fibroblast, and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Migration and Proliferation

• We studied the effect of low-dose colchicine on cell proliferation and migration. Colchicine at doses well below the level of ocular toxicity was found to be a potent inhibitor of astrocyte, fibroblast, and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell proliferation and migration. A colchicine concentration of 1.3 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L, 10⁻⁸ mol/L, and 1.7 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L showed a 50% inhibition of proliferation for RPE, astrocytes, and fibroblasts, respectively. At 10⁻⁷ mol/L, colchicine inhibited 44%, 46%, and 93% of RPE, astrocyte, and fibroblast migration, respectively. Lowdose colchicine appears to be an effective inhibitor of RPE, astrocyte, and fibroblast migration and proliferation in vitro.