Effects of transforming growth factor β2 and connective tissue growth factor on induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix synthesis in human lens epithelial cells

Cheng Pei; Bo Ma; Qian-Yan Kang; Li Qin; Li-Jun Cui

doi:10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2013.06.03

Effects of transforming growth factor β2 and connective tissue growth factor on induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix synthesis in human lens epithelial cells

Int J Ophthalmol. 2013 Dec 18;6(6):752-7. doi: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2013.06.03. eCollection 2013.

Authors

Cheng Pei¹, Bo Ma², Qian-Yan Kang¹, Li Qin¹, Li-Jun Cui¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China.
² Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China.

PMID: 24392320
PMCID: PMC3874511
DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2013.06.03

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) cultured in vitro and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods: HLECs were treated with TGF-β2 (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5, 10µg/L) and CTGF (0, 15, 30, 60, 100µg/L) for different times (0, 24, 48, 72h) in vitro and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the main component of the extracellular matrix type I collagen (Col-1) and fibronectin (Fn) were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western-blot.

Results: TGF-β2 and CTGF significantly increased expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein (P<0.05, P<0.001), Fn mRNA and protein (P<0.001), Col-1 mRNA and protein (P<0.001). TGF-β2 could induce HLECs expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.001). TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs to express α-SMA, Fn and Col-1 in time-dependent manner. Each time of TGF-β2 and CTGF induced HELCs expression of α-SMA, Fn, Col-1 mRNA and protein was significant increase compared with control (P<0.05, P<0.001).

Conclusion: TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs epithelial mesenchymal transition and ECM synthesis.

Keywords: connective tissue growth factor; extracellular matrix; fibronectin; human lens epithelial cells; posterior capsular opacification; transforming growth factor β2; type I collagen; α-smooth muscle actin.