The effect of connective tissue growth factor RNA interference on keloid-derived fibroblasts

Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) RNA interference on the proliferation and type I collagen synthesis of keloid-derived fibroblasts (KFs). Methods Three CTGF small interference RNA (siRNA) sequences were cloned into pRNAT-6.1/Neo vector, and transfected into KFs. The expression of CTGF and type I collagen was detected by using quantitative real-time PCR (q RT-PCR). The cell number of KFs was counted. Results All of the three CTGF siRNA vectors showed inhibitory effects on CTGF mRNA expression in KFs. Among them,the CTGF siRNA3 vector was the most potent one,which decreased CTGF relative expression level from 3.13 ±0. 17 to 0. 71 ± 0.02 (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the expression of type I collagen was decreased from 2.04 ± 0. 10 to 0. 60 ± 0.04 (P<0.01).The cell number of KF on the day 5 was (10.50 ±0.25) × 10~4 in the control group, while decreased to (6. 83 ± 0. 29) × 10~4 in the CTGF siRNA3 group (P<0. 01). Conclusion CTGF RNAi inhibits the CTGF expression in KFs,therefore decreases type I collagen expression and cell proliferation of KFs. Key words: Keloid; Fibroblast; Connective tissue growth factor