title: Microarray analysis of Dupuytren's disease cells: the profibrogenic role of the TGF-β inducible p38 MAPK pathway.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a nodular palmar fibromatosis that causes irreversible permanent contracture of fingers and results in the loss of hand function. Surgery still remains the only available solution for DD patients but cannot permanently cure the disease nor reduce high recurrence rates. With this rationale, we designed a study aimed at an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying DD. Our major focus was an analysis of the global gene expression profile and signalling pathways in DD cells with the aim of identifying novel biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary cells were cultured from surgically removed diseased and healthy tissue. Microarray expression analysis (HG-U133A array, Affymetrix) and qPCR was performed with total RNA isolated from primary DD cells. Mechanistic studies involving inhibition of p38 phosphorylation were performed on normal human fibroblasts' and primary DD cells' in vitro models. Expression of stem cell markers in primary fibroblasts/myofibroblasts was assessed as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 3 p38MAPK signalling pathway regulatory genes, THBS1, GADD45α and NUAK1, all involved in cellular proliferation and production of the extracellular matrix proteins. Inhibition of the p38MAPK signalling pathway induced down-regulation of myofibroblast markers, α-smooth muscle actin and palladin. A stem-cell like subpopulation positive for CD90 marker was identified among primary DD cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reveals involvement of the p38 MAPK pathway as a possible signalling cascade in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. Moreover, a particular stem cell-like CD90(+) subpopulation was identified that might contribute to DD development.
authors.affiliation: University of Rijeka, Department of Biotechnology, Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ratkaj
authors.forename: Maro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bujak
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jurišić
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baus Lončar
authors.forename: Krešo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bendelja
authors.forename: Krešimir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pavelić
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kraljević Pavelić
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases