title: SPARC modulates expression of extracellular matrix genes in human trabecular meshwork cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) on the expression of components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured human trabecular cells were transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specific for the human SPARC gene. Protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin (FN) and the α1chains of collagen I and collagen III were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After silencing of the SPARC gene by transfection of cells with SPARC siRNA, the expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNAs and proteins was significantly enhanced, as compared to that in the control group (all, p < 0.001). In contrast, SPARC siRNA significantly reduced the expression of FN and SPARC mRNAs and FN protein, as compared to that in the control group (all, p < 0.001.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPARC modulates the expression of several ECM genes in cultured human TM cells.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jing-Lei
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bing-Jie
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Shao-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics*; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015676:Osteonectin; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C439971:COL3A1 protein, human; D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III; C067625:FN1 protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D015676:Osteonectin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C577241:SPARC protein, human; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins