title: Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-beta1-mediated fibroblast proliferation.
abstract: This study aims to understand the role of the matrix polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA) in influencing fibroblast proliferation and thereby affecting wound healing outcomes. To determine mechanisms that underlie scarred versus scar-free healing, patient-matched dermal and oral mucosal fibroblasts were used as models of scarring and non-scarring fibroblast phenotypes. Specifically, differences in HA generation between these distinct fibroblast populations have been examined and related to differences in transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1))-dependent proliferative responses and Smad signaling. There was a differential growth response to TGF-beta(1), with it inducing proliferation in dermal fibroblasts but an anti-proliferative response in oral fibroblasts. Both responses were Smad3-dependent. Furthermore, the two fibroblast populations also demonstrated differences in their HA regulation, with dermal fibroblasts generating increased levels of HA, compared with oral fibroblasts. Inhibition of HA synthesis in dermal fibroblasts was shown to abrogate the TGF-beta(1)-mediated induction of proliferation. Inhibition of HA synthesis also led to an attenuation of Smad3 signaling in dermal fibroblasts. Microarray analysis demonstrated no difference in the genes involved in TGF-beta(1) signaling between dermal and oral fibroblasts, whereas there was a distinct difference in the pattern of genes involved in HA regulation. In conclusion, these two distinct fibroblast populations demonstrate a differential proliferative response to TGF-beta(1), which is associated with differences in HA generation. TGF-beta(1) regulates proliferation through Smad3 signaling in both fibroblast populations; however, it is the levels of HA generated by the cells that influence the outcome of this response.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Soma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meran
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enoch
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steadman
authors.forename: Aled O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C497790:SMAD3 protein, human; D051900:Smad3 Protein; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid