c-Abl silencing reduced the inhibitory effects of TGF-β1 on apoptosis in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts

Mol Cell Biochem. 2015 Jul;405(1-2):169-76. doi: 10.1007/s11010-015-2408-0. Epub 2015 Apr 16.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that the apoptosis of myofibroblasts is a crucial event in the normal wound healing. Delay in myofibroblasts apoptosis results in fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an important cytokine to induce fibroblasts differentiation into myofibroblasts. Cellular Abelson (c-Abl) is known as a TGF-β1-modulating molecule in fibrosis. The role of c-Abl, TGF-β1, and their interaction in SSc myofibroblasts apoptosis has not yet been fully explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether TGF-β1 and inhibition of c-Abl influence Bax to Bcl-2 ratio and apoptosis in SSc and healthy dermal fibroblasts. We also would like to know whether there is interaction between TGF-β1 and c-Abl in connection with fibroblasts apoptosis or not. Bax to Bcl-2 ratio was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Apoptosis was detected using annexin V and nuclear staining with Hoechst dye. Our results demonstrated that inhibition of c-Abl increased SSc and healthy dermal fibroblasts susceptibility to apoptosis through increasing in Bax to Bcl-2 mRNA and protein ratios, whereas TGF-β1 promoted healthy fibroblasts resistance to apoptosis via decreasing Bax to Bcl-2 mRNA and protein ratios. In addition, c-Abl silencing reduced the effects of TGF-β1 on Bax to Bcl-2 mRNA and protein ratios. These results suggested that TGF-β1 and c-Abl individually may prevent the deletion of myofibroblasts from wounds and result in fibrosis. Results also proposed that silencing of c-Abl may promote myofibroblasts elimination from wound lesions through reduction in the TGF-β1 inhibitory effects on apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myofibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / genetics*
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics*
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl