Effects of pulsed electrical stimulation on α-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen expression in human dermal fibroblasts.

Abstract

Pulsed electrical stimulation (PES) is known to affect cellular activities. We previously found PES to human dermal fibroblasts (HFs) promoted platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA) gene expression, which enhanced proliferation. In this study, we investigated PES effects on fibroblast collagen production and differentiation into myofibroblasts. HFs were electrically stimulated at 4800Hz and 5V for 60min. Imatinib, a specific inhibitor of PDGF receptors, was treated before PES. After 6h of PES, PDGFA, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen type I α1 chain gene expressions were upregulated in PES group. Imatinib suppressed the promoted expression except for PDGFA. Immunofluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed the production of α-SMA and collagen I was enhanced in PES group but suppressed in PES+imatinib group at 48h after PES. Therefore, PES promotes the production of α-SMA and collagen I in fibroblasts, which is triggered by PDGFA that is upregulated early after PES.