Effect of carboxymethylchitosan on autocrine growth factor and morphology of fibroblasts cultured in vitro / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effect of carboxymethylchitosan on autocrine growth factor and morphology of fibroblasts cultured in vitro, so as to discuss the possible mechanism by which carboxymethylchitosan alleviates overheating and prevents adhesion in wound healing. Methods: Fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. Fibroblasts of passage 4-6 were treated with different concentrations of carboxymethylchitosan (0.01,0.1,1.0 and 10 mg/ml) for 4 days or with 0.1 mg/ml carboxymethylchitosan for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days. The levels of autocrine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β 1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) of fibroblasts were determined by ELISA and radioimmunoassay. The fibroblastic morphology was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and microscope after fibroblasts were treated with different strategies. Results: Carboxymethylchitosan (≥ 0.1 mg/ml) inhibited autocrine TGF-β1 of fibroblast in a time- and concentration dependent manner (P0.05). Carboxymethylchitosan (≥ 0.1 mg/ml) also inhibited the proliferation of fibroblasts and caused their ultrastructural changes. Conclusion: Carboxymethylchitosan (≥0.1 mg/ml) can inhibit fibroblasts proliferation and reduce tissue adhesion, possibly through altering fibroblast ultrastructure and selectively inhibiting secretion of TGF-β1.