OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of transfecting recombinant Sp1 into hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and investigate the proliferation and collagen I, III synthesis in the transfected cells.

METHODSRecombinant human Sp1 was transfected into hypertrophic scar fibroblasts with the karyocyte expressive vector. The expression of Sp1, collagen I, III mRNA was tested by real time PCR. The change of cell proliferation was observed with CCK8 colorimeter.

RESULTSAbout 30% of transfected hypertrophic scar fibroblasts showed green fluorescence positive. The relative expression of Sp1 mRNA in transfected cells, empty-vector cell or untransfected cells group was 5.26 +/- 0.76, 1.08 +/- 0.18, 1.09 +/- 0.15, respectively, showing a significant difference between thansfected and untransfected cells or between the transfected cells and empty-vector group (P <0.01, n = 5). Expression of collagen I, III mRNA was 2.49 +/- 0.40 and 1.88 +/- 0.30 in transfected cells, 0.96 +/- 0.18 and 0.95 +/- 0.18 in empty-vector cell, and 0.97 +/- 0.15 and 0.93 +/- 0.13 in untransfected cells, respectively, showing a significant difference between thansfected and untransfected cells or between the transfected cells and empty-vector group (P < 0.01, n = 5).

CONCLUSIONSThe hypertrophic scar fibroblasts could be as the target cells of Sp1 gene transfection. Sp1 gene may play an important role in abnormal collagen metabolism in hypertrophic scar.