[Effect of pentoxifylline on promoter activity of human alpha 1(I) procollagen gene].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on promoter activity of human alpha 1(I) procollagen (COL1A1) gene and the influence of PTX on the promoter activity induced by insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin.


METHODS
The constructs of pCOLH2.5 containing -2483 approximately +42bp of the procollagen gene and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) as reporter gene were transiently transfected into human skin fibroblasts. The cells were subsequently treated with PTX or IGF-1 or insulin, or PTX plus IGF-1 or insulin. The CAT activity was assessed 24h after PTX and the cytokines added.


RESULTS
PTX of 0.4 mmol/L, 2 mmol/L, and 10 mmol/L decreased the CAT activity of pCOLH 2.5 to 82%+/-9%, 58%+/-8%, and 32%+/-13% of the control level, respectively. IGF-1 and insulin increased the activity of the construct. PTX could inhibit the CAT activity of pCOLH2.5 induced by IGF-1 and insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies indicate that PTX downregulates the promoter activity of the human COL1A1 gene, while IGF-1 and insulin upregulates it. PTX can inhibit the promoter activity induced by IGF-1 and insulin.
Wu
Y
Y
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
Gao
C
C
Wan
W
W
Zhong
R
R
Kong
X
X
D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics*; D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003094:Collagen; D010431:Pentoxifylline