Abstract
To investigate the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis (collagen type I, fibronectin, and laminin) using cultures of normal and scleroderma (SSc) skin fibroblasts. Primary fibroblasts cultures, obtained from skin biopsies of six female voluntary subjects and three female SSc patients, were treated for 24 h with E2 (10(-10)M) alone or in combination with tamoxifene (TAM, 10(-7)M) as an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist. ECM protein synthesis was analyzed by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. E2 induced a significant increase of fibronectin, collagen type I, and laminin synthesis both in normal (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) and SSc fibroblasts (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively) when compared to untreated fibroblasts. TAM induced a significant decrease of ECM protein synthesis when compared to E2-treated TAM-untreated fibroblasts. This study seems to support important modulatory effects of E2 in the fibrotic progression of the SSc process via ER interactions.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
