ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the expression and function of store-operated calcium channels ( SOCC) in human circulating fibrocytes.METHODS:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMCs) were isolated and cultured in ser-um-free media.After 7 d, the PBMCs differentiated into fibrocytes.RT-PCR and real-time PCR were performed to deter-mine the mRNA expression of ORAI1-3 and STIM1-2 in the fibrocytes.SOCC inhibitor SKF-96365 was used to elucidate the role of SOCC in the differentiation of fibrocytes.RESULTS:The results of real-time PCR showed that the mRNA ex-pression of ORAI1-3 and STIM1-2 was positive in cultured fibrocytes.SKF-96365 (10μmol/L) significantly inhibited the differentiation of fibrocytes.CONCLUSION:SOCC-related proteins ORAI1-3 and STIM1-2 are abundantly expressed in the fibrocytes, and may play an important role in the differentiation of these cells.