Functional characteristics of connective tissue growth factor on human tenon's capsule fibroblast.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the characteristic of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the phenotype transition, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and proliferation of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs).


METHODS
HTFs were obtained from patients during cataract surgery and induced by CTGF (1 to 100 µg/L). Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to observe the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SM-actin) protein. The levels of mRNAs were quantified by real-time PCR. Col I and FN expression at both protein and RNA levels were tested after induction by CTGF and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), respectively. Statistical significance was assumed if p < 0.05.


RESULTS
CTGF upregulated the expression of α-SM-actin in cultured HTFs. Its maximum effect at protein level attained under the optimal concentration of 50 μg/L at the peak time of 48 hours, though still weaker than the effect of TGF-β1 (10 μg/L, p < 0.05). The expression of Col I and FN at both protein and mRNA levels was elevated by the induction of CTGF (50 μg/L) (p < 0.01) and TGF-β1 (10 μg/L) (p < 0.05), while CTGF (50 μg/L) showed a greater effect than the latter (p < 0.05). CTGF (1 to100 μg/L) increased the proliferation of HTFs significantly (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CTGF induced the phenotype transition of HTFs individually and significantly promoted their proliferation. Moreover, it promoted ECM synthesis, thus demonstrating its role as a crucial factor in fibrosis. Thus, CTGF could potentially be a safer and more efficient target than TGF-β at suppressing scar formation after filtering surgery.
Department of Ophthalmology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University , Shanghai , China .
Jia-Ying
JY
Zhang
Peng
P
Gao
Wen
W
Ye
Yi-Qin
YQ
Xiao
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D058475:Tenon Capsule / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005353:Fibronectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor