5-fluorouracil selectively inhibits collagen synthesis.
BACKGROUND
Fibroproliferative disorders, such as Dupuytren's contracture of the hand, are characterized by excessive production of collagen. 5-Fluorouracil has been used to treat fibroproliferative disorders of the eye and skin and is thought to inhibit thymidylate synthetase blocking DNA replication. 5-Fluorouracil has been shown to down-regulate fibroblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro.


METHODS
This study investigated the dose-dependent effect of 5-fluorouracil on fibroblast extracellular matrix production. Fibroblasts were derived from tendon and primary Dupuytren's disease of the hand, a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar aponeurosis (n = 4 patients). Total collagen synthesis was determined by means of the incorporation of radiolabeled proline. Fibroblast secretion of the profibrotic factor transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression of collagen types I and III and TGF-beta1 were quantified by means of reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays.


RESULTS
The authors found that 5-fluorouracil caused a dose-dependent, selective, and specific decrease in collagen production by Dupuytren's fibroblasts compared with noncollagenous protein synthesis. By contrast, procollagen types I and III mRNA were unaffected by 5-fluorouracil treatment. These changes did not appear to be mediated by alterations in the endogenous secretion of TGF-beta1 or its autocrine effect on collagen metabolism.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical implication is that 5-fluorouracil could possibly reduce extracellular matrix production and therefore reduce recurrence of Dupuytren's disease of the hand.
Bulstrode
Neil W
NW
RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery, Mount Vernon Hospital, Middlesex, United Kingdom.
Mudera
Vivek
V
McGrouther
D Angus
DA
Grobbelaar
Adriaan O
AO
Cambrey
Alison D
AD
D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013710:Tendons / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D000963:Antimetabolites; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D003094:Collagen; D005472:Fluorouracil