TY - JOUR
T1 - The pro-fibrogenic effect of nerve growth factor on conjunctival fibroblasts is mediated by transforming growth factor-β
AU - Micera, A.
AU - Puxeddu, I.
AU - Lambiase, A.
AU - Antonelli, A.
AU - Bonini, S.
AU - Aloe, L.
AU - Pe'er, J.
AU - Levi-Schaffer, Francesca
PY - 2005/5/1
Y1 - 2005/5/1
N2 - Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) expressions have been found to be increased in sub-conjunctival scarring. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of NGF on some profibrogenic properties of human conjunctival fibroblasts. Methods: Expression of NGF, trkANGFR and p75NTR on human fibroblasts grown from conjunctival biopsies and incubated for 2 or 6 days with NGF were evaluated by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA. The fibrogenic effect of NGF on conjunctival fibroblasts was investigated by evaluating their migration (wound model), proliferation ([3H]- thymidine incorporation), collagen production (3H]-proline incorporation), expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (cell surface ELISA) and contraction of 3D collagen gels. Results: NGF induced the expression of p75NTR in the fibroblasts that constitutively expressed only trkANGF and increased the migration of wounded fibroblasts, but not their proliferation and collagen production. NGF induced the conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA, and enhanced their contraction of a collagen matrix. Interestingly, chronic NGF treatment induced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production by fibroblasts, and following specific TGF-β neutralization, all the NGF-induced effects were completely abrogated. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that NGF, via TGF-β induction, is likely to be involved in the healing or fibrotic processes occurring in conjunctiva during some pathological conditions.
AB - Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) expressions have been found to be increased in sub-conjunctival scarring. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of NGF on some profibrogenic properties of human conjunctival fibroblasts. Methods: Expression of NGF, trkANGFR and p75NTR on human fibroblasts grown from conjunctival biopsies and incubated for 2 or 6 days with NGF were evaluated by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA. The fibrogenic effect of NGF on conjunctival fibroblasts was investigated by evaluating their migration (wound model), proliferation ([3H]- thymidine incorporation), collagen production (3H]-proline incorporation), expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (cell surface ELISA) and contraction of 3D collagen gels. Results: NGF induced the expression of p75NTR in the fibroblasts that constitutively expressed only trkANGF and increased the migration of wounded fibroblasts, but not their proliferation and collagen production. NGF induced the conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA, and enhanced their contraction of a collagen matrix. Interestingly, chronic NGF treatment induced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production by fibroblasts, and following specific TGF-β neutralization, all the NGF-induced effects were completely abrogated. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that NGF, via TGF-β induction, is likely to be involved in the healing or fibrotic processes occurring in conjunctiva during some pathological conditions.
KW - Fibroblasts
KW - Fibrosis
KW - Nerve growth factor
KW - Tissue remodelling
KW - Wound healing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=20044393552&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02241.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02241.x
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C2 - 15898989
AN - SCOPUS:20044393552
SN - 0954-7894
VL - 35
SP - 650
EP - 656
JO - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
JF - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
IS - 5
ER -