The effects of sialic acid on the gene expression of fibrillar collagens: different changes in normal and fibrotic scar derived fibroblasts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of free sialic acid on collagen gene expression in fibroblasts.


METHODS
Cell culture study.


METHODS
University hospital, Finland. CELL LINES: Human granulation tissue fibroblasts, human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts and human keloid fibroblasts.


METHODS
Treatment of cell cultures with 3 microM, 30 microM and 300 microM N-acetyl-neuraminic acid.


METHODS
The measurement of steady state level of mRNA for type I and type III collagen.


RESULTS
Fibroblast lines react dissimilarly under the influence of sialic acid. Granulation tissue fibroblasts showed decrease in the gene expression of type I and III collagen, while keloid fibroblasts contrastingly showed an increase. Hypertrophic scar derived fibroblasts showed no change.


CONCLUSIONS
Sialic acids may decrease collagen gene expression in granulation tissue and that disturbed wound healing in diabetics and smokers may in part be due to direct effect of sialic acids on fibroblasts. Sialic acids may in part induce keloid formation.
Kössi
J
J
Department of Surgery, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520 Turku, Finland.
Aalto
J
J
Haataja
S
S
Niinikoski
J
J
Peltonen
J
J
Laato
M
M
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000235:genetics; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000235:genetics*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000378:metabolism; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid