The synthetic retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases collagen expression in vitro and in the tight-skin mouse.
OBJECTIVE
We documented the effect of the retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide on collagen expression in a tissue culture and in an animal model of scleroderma.


METHODS
We used RNA analysis, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays, organ culture, and histologic evaluation.


RESULTS
We showed that (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases alpha 1(I) collagen messenger RNA and transcription in cultured cells, and decreases collagen levels in the dermis of tight-skin mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide a basis for further experiments to address the efficacy of (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide in the treatment of scleroderma.
Delany
A M
AM
Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-3844.
Brinckerhoff
C E
CE
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017313:Fenretinide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D017313:Fenretinide; D003094:Collagen