Effect of activin receptor-like kinase 5 inhibition on the collagen deposition in the fibroblasts of hyperplastic scars

Objective To explore the effect of activin receptor-like kinase(ALK)5 inhibition on the expression of collagen type I(COL1A2)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in the fibroblasts of hyperplastic scars.Methods Hyperplastic scar tissues were used for fibroblasts cultured in vitro.After treated with different concentrations(1,5,10 μM)of ALK5 inhibitor CP-639180 for 3 h,the mRNA and protein levels of COL1A2 and α-SMA in the fibroblasts were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot respectively.Results Compared with control group,COL1A2 mRNA and protein levels in the fibroblasts treated with ALK5 inhibitor were significantly reduced,and COL1A2 expression was inversely proportional to the inhibitor concentration(P0.05,P0.01).Similarly,ALK5 inhibitors reduced α-SMA expression at both transcriptional level and translation level in the fibroblasts(P0.05).Conclusion Application of a small molecular inhibitor of ALK 5 CP-639180 appears to significantly inhibit collagen and α-SMA expression in the fibroblasts of hyperplastic scars.It further inhibits the synthesis of collagen fibers and may provide a novel approach to reducing proliferative scars in human.