Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide in the survival and collagen gel contraction of cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTCFs).
Methods
Primarily cultured HTCFs were exposed to 0, 100, 200, or 300 µM hydrogen sulfide (sodium hydrogen sulfide, NaHS) for 2 days. Cellular survival was assessed by MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Degree of apoptosis was assessed with flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining. To evaluate the effect of NaHS on cellular transdifferentiation, HTCFs were stimulated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 and the level of expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) mRNA was assessed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The cells were embedded in collagen gel, and the amount of gel contraction was measured.
Results
NaHS at 300 µM reduced HTCF survival (p = 0.013); NaHS at both 200 and 300 µM increased apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.013 and p = 0.016). TGF-β1 increased the expression of α-SMA mRNA (p = 0.041); co-treatment with 100 µM NaHS decreased TGF-β1-induced α-SMA mRNA expression (p = 0.039) and inhibited collagen gel contraction.
Conclusions
NaHS at high concentration reduced cellular survival and increased HTCF apoptosis. NaHS decreased TGF-β 1-induced increases in α-SMA mRNA expression and collagen gel contraction. Thus, hydrogen sulfide may suppress scar formation by inhibiting HTCF transdifferentiation and contraction of collagen gels.
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