[Effects of connective tissue growth factor antisense oligonucleotides on the cultured human keloid fibroblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the pathogenesis of human keloid.

METHODS: CTGF antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) conjugated with isothiocyanate fluorescence was encapsulated by liposome, and then added into the human keloid fibroblast (HKF) culturing media. The intracellular distribution of CTGF ASODN was observed with fluorescence microscopy in the fixed HKF. The proliferation of HKF was measured by MIT test. The apoptosis of HKF was measured with a flow cytometer. The collagen synthesis of HKF was measured by using H3-proline incorporation method.

RESULTS: The CTGF ASODN inhibited the proliferation and collagen synthesis of the HKF, compared with the control, but it increased the apoptosis after the transfection (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: CTGF ASODN may has anti-fibrotic effects on human keloid in vitro, and the CTGF may play an important role in promoting the fibrosis of human keloid.