The role of focal adhesion kinase in the TGF-β-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation of human Tenon's fibroblasts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation of human Tenon's fibroblasts.


METHODS
Primary cultured human Tenon's fibroblasts were exposed to TGF-β1 for up to 48 hours. The mRNA levels of FAK, α smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and β-actin were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of collagen type I, FAK, phospho-FAK, αSMA, and β-actin were determined by Western immunoblots. After the small interfering RNA targeting FAK (siRNA(FAK)) molecules were delivered into the cells, the expressions of αSMA proteins were determined by Western immunoblots.


RESULTS
In human Tenon's fibroblasts, TGF-β1 significantly increased the mRNA and protein expressions of αSMA. However, when the action of FAK was inhibited using siRNA(FAK), the TGF-β1-induced expression of αSMA was attenuated.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that FAK may be associated with the TGF-β1-induced transdifferentiation of human Tenon's fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, which is the essential step of subconjunctival fibrosis.
Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Samin
S
Hong
Jong Bok
JB
Lee
Yoko
Y
Iizuka
Yoo Kyung
YK
Song
Gong Je
GJ
Seong
Sueng-Han
SH
Han
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015153:Blotting, Western; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D058628:Myofibroblasts; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases