[Insulin-like growth factor-1 induced activation and expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 in scleral fibroblast of guinea pigs].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in sclera fibroblast of guinea pigs for understanding whether STAT3 signaling transduction pathway induced by the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was constitutively activated.


METHODS
Immunocytochemical staining was used to determine the protein levels of STAT3 and P-STAT3 (activated STAT3) in scleral fibroblasts. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA of STAT3. The effects of IGF-1 on scleral fibroblast proliferation were measured by MTT assay.


RESULTS
Immunocytochemical staining and RT-PCR revealed that STAT3 protein and mRNA were over-expressed in the cells which contained constitutively activated STAT3 signaling transduction pathway (t=-6.925, -10.179 and 9.363; P<0.001). The results of MTT showed that IGF-1 induced fibroblasts proliferation significantly at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 10.0 microg/L (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
STAT3 signaling transduction pathway is constitutively activated in the treated scleral cells by IGF-1, suggesting that STAT3 signaling transduction pathway may play a critical role in the occurrence of myopia and sclera remodeling.
Zhu
Zi-cheng
ZC
Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
Zhang
Jin-song
JS
Ji
Xue-ying
XY
Wang
Ying-fei
YF
Chen
Yue
Y
Li
Xiu-juan
XJ
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012590:Sclera / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I