Effect of melatonin on the expression of connective tissue growth factor of fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of melatonin on the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)of fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar. Methods Cultured primary fibroblasts cells by using enzyme digestion technique. Fibroblasts were cultured and incubated with melatonin, Luzindole, melatonin and Luzindole for 48 hours. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay(FQ- PCR) were used to detect the gene expression of CTGF and α-smooth muscle actin(α- SMA). Immunofluorescence cytochemistry were used to quantify the expression of CTGF and collagen-Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ). In order to study the extracellular matrix expression of CTGF, COL-Ⅰand COL-Ⅲ, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed. Results The expression of CTGF mRNA in control group, melatonin group, luzindole group and luzindole+ melatonin group was 0.129 4±0.006 1, 0.086 9±0.003 1,0.123 5± 0.008 1,0.123 2±0.009 4(F= 30.130, P 0.05). Compared with control group, melatonin decreased the gene expression of CTGF,α- SMA and extracellular matrix expression of CTGF,COL-Ⅰ, and the effect of melatonin on fibroblasts was singnificantly by luzindole, while melatonin could not affect the expression of COL-Ⅲ. Conclusion Melatonin would down-regulate the gene expression of CTGF, α- SMA and extracellular matrix expression of CTGF, COL-Ⅰof hypertrophic scar through a receptor pathway. Key words: Melatonin; Hypertrophic scar fibroblast; Connective tissue growth factor