Effects of lipopolysaccharide on expression of fibrosis-related factors in dermal fibroblast and hypertrophic scar formation / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on normal skin tissues (NS)-derived fibroblasts (NSFs) and the formation of hypertrophic scar (HS). Methods: HSs and the corresponding NS tissues were sampled from the patients who underwent surgical excision at Xijing Hospital from November 2017 to November 2018. The characteristics of HSs and HSFs were identified by HE and Masson staining, immunohistochemistry/immunocytochemistry, real time quantitative PCR (RTqPCR), Western blotting and electron microscopy in scar formation cell models and mouse wound healing models. Results: The staining results showed that the number of fibroblasts, level of extracullar matrix (ECM) proteins (Col I, Col III, and α-SMA) in HS were significantly higher than those in NS (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Col I, Col III and α-SMA in HS/HSFs were significantly higher than those in NS/NSFs (P<0.05). LPS could significantly increase the expression of Col I, Col III and α-SMA in NSFs, and the result was similar to those in HSFs (P<0.05). The endoplasmic reticulum was normal and regulated in NSFs, but it was swollen and unregulated in LPS-stimulated NSFs and HSFs. After injection of LPS, the mice showed delayed wound healing and obvious scarring. Conclusions: LPS can change the ultrastructure of endoplasmic reticulum, increase the expression of fibrotic proteins (e.g. Col I, Col III and α-SMA), lead to the accumulation of ECM proteins and the transformation of fibroblasts, and finally form HS.