Effects of substance P on expression of apoptosis-associated genes in fibroblasts derived from pathological scars / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of substance P (SP) on the expression of apoptosis-associated genes in fibroblasts derived from pathological scars. Methods Fibroblasts derived from keloid, hypertrophic scar and normal skin were cultured separately in media containing SP and SP receptor antagonist. PCNA, bcl-2 and bax protein in fibroblasts were assessed by means of immunohistochemistry. Results SP enhanced PCNA and bcl-2 expression in all three kinds of fibroblasts, whereas, bax expression was inhibited significantly. SP inhibited the expression of bax in keloid scar fibroblasts (KSFB) more remarkably than that in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFB) or normal fibroblasts (NFB), and the effect was stronger on HSFB than on NFB. SP receptor antagonist could inhibit those effects of SP totally or partially. Conclusion SP may play an important role in the formation of pathological scars by modulating the expression of apoptosis-associated genes, which is mediated by SP receptor.