ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effects of interleukin 2 (IL-2) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods: IL-2 of 10 μg/L was used to induce RPE cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the EMT marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the extracellular matrix (ECM) markers fibronectin (Fn) and type I collagen (COL-1), transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2), and the activation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway at corresponding time points. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway was specifically blocked by WP1066, and the changes in α-SMA, COL-1, Fn and TGF-β2 mRNA and protein expressions were detected. Results: After induction by 10 μg/L of IL-2, the expressions of Fn, COL-1, TGF-β2 mRNA and protein as well as p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly increased (P<0.05). This effect was correlated with the length of IL-2 treatment, while α-SMA mRNA and protein expression did not change significantly. JAK/STAT3 inhibitor WP1066 could effectively inhibit the expressions of Fn, COL-1 and TGF-β2 in IL-2-induced RPE cells. Conclusion: IL-2 promotes ECM synthesis and TGF-β2 expression in RPE cells via JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, which may play an important role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.