title: Extract of Aneilema keisak inhibits transforming growth factor-β-dependent signalling by inducing Smad2 downregulation in keloid fibroblasts.
abstract: Keloids are characterised by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), especially overabundant collagen formation. In keloid fibroblasts (KFs), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-dependent signalling is closely associated with a variety of keloid pathologic responses such as ECM production and fibroblast overgrowth. Thus, inhibition of TGF-β signalling would be a potential therapeutic approach to prevent keloid scar formation. Thereby, we aimed to identify a novel TGF-β signalling blocker among natural products using a simplified screening approach. We discovered that the extract of Aneilema keisak (A.K-Ex) lowered TGF-β-dependent signalling by reducing Smad2 protein levels. Given that KFs showed altered dependency on TGF-β for survival and proliferation, A.K-Ex-mediated reduction in Smad2 protein levels significantly inhibited the major characteristics of KFs such as cell growth, migration and collagen synthesis, suggesting that A.K-Ex exhibits possible therapeutic activity on keloids.
authors.forename: Won-Serk
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji-Seon
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gab-Yong
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Jin-Ju
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Young Yil
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Bahk
authors.forename: Hyung Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Hyuk-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D034821:Commelinaceae; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000188:drug therapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D051899:Smad2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D051899:Smad2 Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen