[The effect of matrine on the signal transduction pathway of transforming growth factor-beta1 in human lung fibroblast cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of matrine on the signal transduction pathway of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1).


METHODS
The effect of TGF-beta1, Staurosporine, PD98059 and matrine on the expression of CTGF, CTGF mRNA, p-Smad2, and p-ERK1/2 were evaluated by Western blot in cultured HLF-02 cells. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to test the expression of CTGF and the expression level of CTGF mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Basal levels of CTGF protein were observed in cultured HLF-02. The expression of CTGF, CTGF mRNA, p-Smad2 and p-ERK1/2, in HLF-02 cells were stimulated significantly (P < 0.01) by 1 ng/mL TGF-beta1 treatment. The increase of CTGF protein was inhibited significantly by pre-incubation with Staurosporine (SP) and PD98059 (P < 0.01). And matrine could markedly inhibited the up-regulation of CTGF, CTGF mRNA, p-Smad2 and p-ERK1/2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependant manner.


CONCLUSIONS
CTGF, CTGF mRNA, p-Smad2 and p-ERK1/2 of HLF-02 cells could be significantly up-regulated after treated with TGF-beta1, and these increases could be inhibited significantly by matrine. This implied that matrine inhibit the expression of CTGF and CTGF mRNA induced by TGF-beta1 through the Smad2 and ERK signal transduction pathways.
Ling
Wei
W
Department of Respiratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Xie
Min
M
Shi
Jun-Qing
JQ
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D011807:Quinolizines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D000093842:Matrines