title: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide promotes cell proliferation and differentiation by modulating autophagy in human keratinocytes.
abstract: The effects and the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation are still less known. In the current study, we investigated the effects and the underlying mechanisms of exogenous H2S on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were treated with various concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a donor of H2S) for 24 h. A CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell viability. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of proteins associated with differentiation and autophagy. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe autophagic vacuoles, and flow cytometry was applied to evaluate apoptosis. NaHS promoted the viability, induced the differentiation, and enhanced autophagic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells but had no effect on cell apoptosis. Blockage of autophagy by ATG5 siRNA inhibited NaHS-induced cell proliferation and differentiation. The current study demonstrated that autophagy in response to exogenous H2S treatment promoted keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Our results provide additional insights into the potential role of autophagy in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Binyu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Yanguang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China. Electronic address: liyuzhen@medmail.com.cn.
authors.forename: Yuzhen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Autophagy; Differentiation; Hydrogen sulfide; Keratinocyte