OBJECTIVETo study the role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) on the proliferation and differentiation of human fibroblast in hypertrophic scar and its effect on the scar formation.

METHODSThe human scar fibroblasts were isolated and cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into 4 groups. (1) control group: only contains DMEM; (2) jetPRIME group: DMEM with 200 microl jetPRIME buffer and 4 microl jetPRIME; (3) ILK siRNA group: DMEM and ILK siRNA; (4) ILK cDNA group: DMEM and ILK cDNA. The cell proliferation was detected by XTT assay and the mRNA and protein expressions of ILK and alpha-SMA were detected by Real-time qPCR and Western blot.

RESULTS(1) XTT results showed that the cellular proliferation level after 48 h in four groups were 0.820 +/- 0.065, 0.873 +/- 0.041, 0.554 +/- 0.013 and 1.296 +/- 0.094, respectively. The cellular proliferation curve showed that the cellular proliferation level was very flat in ILK siRNA group while the cellular proliferation level gradually increased from 12 h. 48 h after transfection, the cellular proliferation level in ILK siRNA group was significant lower than those in other groups (P value were 0.021, 0.034, 0), while the cellular proliferation level in ILK cDNA group was the highest among all 4 groups (P value were 0.017, 0.009, 0). (2) The Real-time qPCR showed that the expressions of ILK mRNA and alpha-SMA mRNA were 0.693 +/- 0.412 and 0.422 +/- 0.037 in control group, were 0.621 +/- 0.183 and 0.388 +/- 0.005 in jetPRIME group, were 0.052 +/- 0.019 and 0.073 +/- 0.023 in ILK siRNA group, were 240.193 +/- 35.170 and 138.056 +/- 24.060 in ILK cDNA group. The expressions of ILK mRNA and alpha-SMA mRNA in ILK siRNA group were significantly lower than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). And the expressions of ILK mRNA and alpha-SMA mRNA in ILK cDNA group were significantly higher than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). (3) The Western blot also showed that the expression of ILK and alpha-SMA proteins were decreased in ILK siRNA group and increased in ILK cDNA group.

CONCLUSIONILK may promote the proliferation and differentiation of human scar fibroblast. It may play an important role in scar formation and contracture.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the mechanism of occurrence and development of zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (AZGP1) in the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver fibrosis.Methods The activated human hepatic stellate cell line LX2 was induced by the stimulation of transforming growth factor-β1 to construct carbon tetrachloride liver fibrosis mice model.The situation expression of AZGP1 in liver cells and tissues were observed.Plasmid transfection method was used to detect the activation,proliferation,apoptotic functions and changes in related factors of LX2 cells,respectively,after the overexpression and inhibition of AZGP1expression.Univariate analysis of variance was used for multiple group comparison.Results The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that AZGP1 protein was decreased and α-smooth muscle actin was increased in the activated LX2 cells,and the two were negatively correlated.AZGP1 gene and protein were significantly under-expressed in activated LX2 cells and liver tissues of mice with carbon tetrachloride liver fibrosis.Collagen I,matrix metalloproteinase-2,and α-smooth muscle actin genes and proteins were significantly down-regulated in LX2 cells after over-expression of AZGP 1.Cell fluorescence showed that AZGP 1-overexpressing cells were activated and α-smooth muscle actin protein was reduced.In addition,the proliferative activity and G1/S-specific cyclin D1 protein of LX2 cells were significantly reduced after overexpression of AZGP1,while cell cycle experiments showed that the proportion of cells overexpressing AZGP1 was significantly increased in the G0/G1 phase,and the proportion of S phase was significantly reduced.AZGP1 had no significant effect on the apoptosis of LX2 cells.Conclusion AZGP1 can reverse liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells,and thereby overexpression of AZGP1 is expected to become a new target for liver fibrosis treatment.