Collagen Production In Human Dermal Fibroblasts Research Articles

Ascorbic Acid Enhances the Metabolic Activity, Growth and Collagen Production of Human Dermal Fibroblasts Growing in Three-dimensional (3D) Culture

Tissue engineering (TE) enables the development of functional synthetic substitutes to be replaced with damaged tissues and organs instead of the use of auto or allografts. A wide range of biomaterials is currently in use as TE scaffolds. Among these materials, naturally sourced ones are favorable due to being highly biocompatible and supporting cell growth and function, whereas synthetic ones are advantageous because of the high tunability on mechanical and physical properties as well as being easy to process. Alongside the advantages of synthetic polymers, they mostly show hydrophobic behavior that limits biomaterial-cell interaction and, consequently, the functioning of the developed TE constructs. In this study, we assessed the impact of L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P) on improving the culture conditions of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) growing on a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold made of polycaprolactone (PCL) using emulsion templating. Our results demonstrated that AA2P enhances the metabolic activity and growth of HDFs as well as collagen deposition by them when supplemented in their growth medium at 50 µg/mL concentration. It showed a great potential to be used as a growth medium supplement to circumvent the disadvantages of culturing human cells on a synthetic biomaterial that is not favored in default. AA2P's potential to improve cell growth and collagen deposition may prove an effective way to culture human cells on 3D PCL PolyHIPE scaffolds for various TE applications.

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Promote Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration.

Wound healing is a complex process involving cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) or exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are emerging as promising alternatives to cell therapy for advanced wound healing. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of the skin ECM, is widely utilized in wound dressings and dermal fillers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ASC-derived exosomes (ASC-EXOs) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and their potential combination with HA in in vivo wound healing and dermal filler models. In HDFs, ASC-EXOs increased cell proliferation and migration. ASC-EXOs also upregulated the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and wound healing while stimulating collagen production in HDFs. In a porcine wound healing model, topical treatment with a combination of HA and ASC-EXOs led to higher wound closure rates compared to HA alone. Histological examination showed increased re-epithelialization and collagen type III deposition in wounds treated with the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs. In a mouse dermal filler model, tissues injected with the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs exhibited thicker tissue layers, increased vascularization, enhanced infiltration of myofibroblasts, and higher levels of collagen III and collagen fiber content compared to HA alone. These findings suggest that ASC-EXOs have beneficial effects on cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression related to wound healing, and they may accelerate wound closure and promote tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs may enhance wound healing and tissue remodeling, indicating its potential for both clinical and regenerative aesthetic applications in skin repair and regeneration.

IL-18 Downregulates Collagen Production in Human Dermal Fibroblasts via the ERK Pathway

Excessive accumulation of collagen contributes to the fibrotic process. Several experimental studies have shown that IFN-gamma is effective in preventing fibrogenesis. IL-18, originally identified as an IFN-gamma-inducing factor, is a key mediator of inflammation and host defense responses. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of IL-18 on the expression of type I and III collagen genes in dermal fibroblasts. The exposure of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to IL-18 resulted in a reduction of collagen gene expression and production. Also, IL-18 inhibited the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-induced collagen gene expression. Next, to determine the molecular mechanism involved in this regulation, we showed that IL-18-regulated collagen expression was blocked by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated Ets-1 knockdown. Furthermore, we showed that IL-18 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) within 10 minutes and that the ERK inhibitor PD98059 blocked the inhibitory effect of IL-18. IL-18 also inhibited the production of collagen in systemic sclerosis (SSc) dermal fibroblasts. Our data indicate that IL-18 downregulates collagen production in HDF directly via Ets-1 and the ERK pathway, suggesting that IL-18 may exert antifibrotic activities in dermal fibroblasts.

Interleukin-18 Downregulates Collagen Production in Human Dermal Fibroblasts via ERK pathway (98.14)

Abstract Excessive accumulation of collagen contributes to the fibrotic process. Several experimental studies have shown that interferon (IFN)-γ is effective in preventing fibrogenesis. Interleukin-18, formerly called IFN-γ -inducing factor, is a key mediator of inflammation and host defense responses. Here, we investigated the regulatory effect of IL-18 on expression of type I and collagen genes in dermal fibroblasts. Exposure of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to IL-18 resulted in a reduction of collagen gene expression and protein production was in a dose-dependent manner using real-time RT-PCR and Sircol assay. Next, we determined the signaling pathways involved by small interfering RNA(siRNA), reporter assay, and Western blotting. Silencing of the Ets-1 reversed inhibitory effects of IL-18. We demonstrated that IL-18 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) within 10 minutes, and inhibitor of ERK blocked the inhibitory effects of IL-18. These results suggest that L-18 downregulates collagen production in HDF directly via Ets-1-dependent pathway and ERK pathway.