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Stem cell factor protects bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC) from cytocidal effect of nitric oxide secreted by fibroblasts in murine BMCMC-fibroblast coculture.

The survival of mast cells are dependent on two kinds of growth factors, one derived from T cells (IL-3) and another derived from fibroblasts (stem cell factor [SCF]). The 3T3 fibroblast cell line derived from WCB6F(1-)+/+ mouse embryos (+/+ 3T3 fibroblasts) supported the proliferation of bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC) in the PWM-stimulated spleen cell conditioned medium (PWM-SCM), whereas the 3T3 fibroblast cell line from WCB6F1-Sl/Sld mouse embryos (Sl/Sld 3T3 fibroblasts) did not. To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) on the growth of mast cells in BMCMC-fibroblast coculture, we used a NO synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NGMMA). NGMMA recovered survival and maintained proliferation of mast cells in BMCMC-Sl/Sld 3T3 fibroblasts coculture. Sl/Sld 3T3 fibroblasts as well as 3T3 fibroblasts from NIH(-)+/+, BALB(-)+/+ or Swiss(-)+/+ mouse embryos secreted NO in PWM-SCM, but not in alpha-MEM. SCF protected BMCMC from cytotoxicity of exogenous NO in IL-3-supplemented alpha-MEM. We concluded that SCF might protect BMCMC from cytocidal effect of NO in BMCMC-fibroblasts coculture.

3T3 Cells↗

The co-culture of dermal fibroblasts with human epidermal keratinocytes induces increased prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase 2 activity in fibroblasts.

During wound healing, cell-cell interactions between epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts contribute to the organization of epidermis, in which prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is considered to be involved in proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. In the current study, we investigated the regulation of PGE2 biosynthesis in co-culture of human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. The production of PGE2 was synergistically enhanced in the co-culture at cell ratios of keratinocytes to fibroblasts between 1/8 and 4, whereas the production of PGE2 was negligible in individual monolayer cultures of keratinocytes or fibroblasts. To address the mechanism of PGE2 production induced by the co-culture of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, we asked whether either cell-derived soluble factor(s) or direct cell-cell contact was required to augment the production of PGE2. Neither the fibroblast-conditioned medium nor membrane fractions influenced the production of PGE2 in keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-conditioned medium greatly enhanced the production of PGE2 in fibroblasts, however, whereas the effect of keratinocyte-membrane fractions was weaker. The main soluble fraction in the keratinocyte-conditioned medium contained a precursor of interleukin-1 alpha (proIL-1alpha) by western blot analysis, and PGE2 production was inhibited by anti-IL-1alpha antibody, but not by anti-IL-1beta or by anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody. The enhanced production of PGE2 in fibroblasts upon culturing with keratinocytes was due to the induction of COX-2 mRNA mediated by proIL-1alpha released from keratinocytes. These results suggest that cell-cell interactions of keratinocytes and fibroblasts augment the production of PGE2 by a mechanism in which the activity of COX-2 in fibroblasts is increased by the keratinocyte-derived proIL-1alpha in a paracrine manner.

Coculture Techniques↗

Heterogeneous proliferative characteristics of human adult lung fibroblast lines and clonally derived fibroblasts from control and fibrotic tissue.

Pulmonary fibrosis results from an altered deposition of collagen within the lung parenchyma. This alteration is likely the result of both increased fibroblast proliferation and abnormalities in fibroblast collagen metabolism. Although the development of pulmonary fibrosis is preceded by inflammatory events in the lung, it is unclear whether altered fibroblast behavior requires continuous exposure to inflammatory mediators or alternatively results from the emergence in the lung of fibroblast populations possessing characteristics such as to explain the abnormalities seen in pulmonary fibrosis. To examine the latter hypothesis, we have established a number of fibroblast cell lines from control (C) lung tissue as well as from tissue from patients with active pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and have examined their in vitro proliferative characteristics. Our data show that PF fibroblasts proliferate significantly faster compared to C fibroblasts under standard culture conditions. We have also examined the in vitro proliferative characteristics of a substantial number of clonally derived fibroblasts. We report that a marked heterogeneity exists in terms of proliferation and also that a small but significant number of fast-growing clones are present in panels of clones derived from fibrotic tissue. These data suggest that there exists in fibrotic tissue, clones of fibroblasts with intrinsic growth characteristics which could in itself explain the increased fibroblast proliferation seen in pulmonary fibrosis. The fibrotic clones may emerge as dominant in the fibrotic lung under conditions of injury and repair likely to favor the expansion of this phenotype.

Adult↗

Binding of chemotactic collagen-derived peptides to fibroblasts. The relationship to fibroblast chemotaxis.

We previously showed that collagen, alpha-chains, and collagen-derived peptide fragments induce chemotactic migration of human fibroblasts in vitro. We now describe biochemical and immunological evidence showing there are binding sites for collagen peptides on fibroblast membranes.By the use of (14)C-labeled alpha1(I) chain, binding to intact fibroblasts was demonstrated. The process was reversible, and time- and fibroblast concentration-dependent. Scatchard plot analyses of the data obtained for the binding of alpha1(I) suggested that there are congruent with 16 x 10(6) binding sites per fibroblast with an association constant of 1.1 x 10(7)/M for alpha1(I). Dissociation of the bound radioactivity and subsequent chromatographic analysis on agarose A-1.5 m revealed that the alpha1 was unaltered. The binding of (14)C-labeled alpha1 was inhibited by each of the CNBr peptides derived from alpha1 chain of chick skin collagen and CNBr peptide mixtures of various genetic types of collagen chains. Immunofluorescence studies with anti-alpha1 antibody showed that alpha1-treated fibroblasts exhibited strong immunofluorescence. The intensity of fluorescence was markedly diminished by prior absorption of the antibody with alpha1. The alpha1-treated cells stained with preimmune sera did not show significant fluorescence.Dose-response curves of fibroblast chemotaxis induced by alpha1 and the binding of alpha1 by fibroblasts correlate closely. Furthermore, the potency of alpha1-CNBr peptides as chemotactic agents correlates with their ability to inhibit the binding of labeled alpha1(I). These data suggest the hypothesis that collagenderived peptides cause fibroblast chemotactic migration by acting on fibroblast membranes.

Binding Sites↗

Coculture of mouse IL-3-dependent mast cells with 3T3 fibroblasts stimulates synthesis of globopentaosylceramide (Forssman glycolipid) by fibroblasts and surface expression on both populations.

Mouse IL-3-dependent bone marrow culture-derived mast cells (BMMC) and mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, cultured separately or together, were examined for their cell surface expression and biosynthesis of globopentaosylceramide, a marker of the mouse serosal mast cell. As assessed by flow cytometric analysis, BMMC cultured for up to 7 wk in 50% WEHI 3-conditioned medium containing IL-3 did not bind the B1.1 anti-globopentaosylceramide mAb (six experiments). A total of 10 +/- 4% (mean +/- SD, three experiments) of 3T3 fibroblasts that had reached confluence in medium without IL-3 bound B1.1 antibody and, after an additional approximately 28 days of culture in that medium or in 50% WEHI 3-conditioned medium, 12 +/- 3% (mean +/- SD, five experiments) and 16 +/- 7% (mean +/- SD, three experiments) of the cells, respectively, bound the antibody. After coculture of BMMC and confluent 3T3 fibroblasts for 28 days in 50% WEHI 3-conditioned medium, followed by dispersal and purification of the cells, 92 +/- 18% of the mast cells and 92 +/- 16% (mean +/- SD, seven experiments) of the fibroblasts were B1.1+. Whereas the increase in the expression of the epitope bound by B1.1 antibody on fibroblasts was noted by day 14 of coculture, expression of the epitope on mast cells did not occur until day 21 (three experiments). Biosynthesis of globopentaosylceramide was assessed by intrinsic radiolabeling of each cell population and identification of the extracted neutral glycosphingolipids by TLC and autoradiography. Synthesis of globopentaosylceramide was not detected in extracts of 9 x 10(6) BMMC, 1 x 10(6) confluent 3T3 fibroblasts cultured alone for 28 days, or 9 x 10(6) mast cells purified from 28-day cocultures but was readily detected in extracts of 3 x 10(5) fibroblasts purified from the same cocultures. These findings indicate that BMMC stimulate an increase in the synthesis and expression of globopentaosylceramide on 3T3 fibroblasts and suggest that the subsequent appearance of this neutral glycosphingolipid on the surface of the mast cells is due to its secretion by fibroblasts and adsorption to the mast cell surface. Thus, the interactions between mast cells and fibroblasts during coculture alter the biochemical and Ag phenotypes of both populations.

Animals↗

Skin fibroblasts from patients with the genetic disorder hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia compared with ataxia-telangiectasia fibroblasts in their response to the radiomimetic drug neocarzinostatin.

Skin fibroblasts from patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) were compared with fibroblasts from patients with the genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), and with SV40-transformed A-T fibroblasts, regarding their sensitivity to the radiomimetic drug neocarzinostatin (NCS). Whereas A-T fibroblasts were found to be hypersensitive to NCS at low concentrations (as measured by the cellular survival test), as previously reported, the HHT fibroblasts were more resistant to NCS and behaved as normal fibroblasts. The SV40-transformed A-T cells also resembled normal fibroblasts in their response to NCS in the colony formation test. In the DNA synthesis test, HHT strains of fibroblasts did not fully resemble untransformed and SV40-transformed A-T cells that continued to synthesize DNA following NCS treatment, since NCS inhibited DNA synthesis in HHT fibroblasts by 5 to 15%; whereas the same treatment in normal fibroblasts reduced DNA synthesis by 40%.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Cellular retinol-binding protein-1 is transiently expressed in granulation tissue fibroblasts and differentially expressed in fibroblasts cultured from different organs.

We have reported that cellular retinol-binding protein-1 (CRBP-1) is transiently expressed by arterial smooth muscle cells during experimental intimal repair (P. Neuville, A. Geinoz, G. Benzonana, M. Redard, F. Gabbiani, P. Ropraz, G. Gabbiani: Am J Pathol 1997, 150:509-521). We have examined here the expression of CRBP-1 during wound healing after a full-thickness rat skin wound. CRBP-1 was transiently expressed by a significant proportion of fibroblastic cells including myofibroblasts. Expression started 4 days after wounding, reached a maximum at 12 days, and persisted up to 30 days when a scar was formed. After wound closure, most CRBP-1-containing fibroblastic cells underwent apoptosis. We have further investigated CRBP-1 expression in rat fibroblasts cultured from different organs. CRBP-1 was abundant in lung and heart fibroblasts and was detected in decreasing amounts in muscle, tendon, subcutaneous tissue, and granulation tissue fibroblasts. Dermis fibroblasts contained no detectable levels of CRBP-1. All-trans retinoic acid and transforming growth factor-beta1 inhibited cell proliferation and increased CRBP-1 expression in fibroblastic populations except dermis fibroblasts. We demonstrate that during granulation tissue formation a subpopulation of fibroblastic cells express CRBP-1 de novo. We also demonstrate that CRBP-1 expression by fibroblasts is regulated in vitro by retinoic acid and transforming growth factor-beta1. Our results suggest that CRBP-1 and possibly retinoic acid play a role in the evolution of granulation tissue.

Animals↗

Reduced response of scleroderma fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor.

Reactivity of scleroderma fibroblasts to lymphoid cell-derived fibroblast growth factor (FGF) was assessed in this study. The fibroblasts from the sclerotic lesion failed to respond to FGF, whereas those from scleroedematous lesions responded equally to normal fibroblast. Response of the fibroblast from sclerotic lesion was also lower than that of the fibroblast from mature scar. Fibroblasts obtained from three different layers of healthy skin, papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and reticular-subcutaneous layer, responded equally to FGF, whereas the fibroblast of reticular dermis from sclerotic lesion failed to respond to FGF. It is suggested that the fibroblast of reticular dermis in scleroderma is variously activated by some unknown factors, so that they do not have enough reserve to respond to further stimuli.

Animals↗

Effects of basic fibroblast factor (bFGF) on MMP-2, TIMP-2, and type-I collagen levels in human lung carcinoma fibroblasts.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP's) possess a preponderant role in the metabolism of the major extracellular matrix protein, collagen, and are thought to be important in the mechanism of tumor invasion. Lung cancer occupies the first position in mortality and the second position in incidence, among all cancers. In the present investigation, we studied the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2) levels in normal and carcinoma lung tissue fibroblast cultures. MMP-2 was selected because of its high specificity in the degradation of type IV collagen, major component of the basal membrane. The effect of bFGF on MMP-2, TIMP-2, total collagen, and type I collagen levels of normal and carcinoma lung fibroblast cultures was investigated at 0, 10, and 100 ng/ml. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Mann-Whitney-U test and possible correlations were searched using the Spearman correlation analysis method. MMP-2, TIMP-2, total collagen, and type-1 collagen levels based on cell counts (10(3) cells) showed no statistically significant differences between the carcinoma and normal fibroblast cultures. However, positive correlations were found between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in normal (P = 0.016) and carcinoma (P = 0.001) tissue fibroblast cultures. Positive correlations were also found between total collagen and TIMP-2 levels in normal and carcinoma tissue fibroblast cultures (P = 0.002 and P = 0.032). Total collagen and TIMP-2 levels also showed positive and strong correlations in all cultures except in 100 ng/ml bFGF concentrations. In addition, type I collagen and MMP-2 levels showed positive significant correlations only in normal and carcinoma control cultures, while type I collagen and TIMP-2 levels showed positive correlations in all cultures except carcinoma fibroblasts at 100 ng/ml bFGF. It may be concluded that bFGF does not affect MMP-2, TIMP-2, total collagen, and type-1 collagen levels in fibroblast cultures grown from human carcinoma and normal lung tissues. However, bFGF was noted, in vitro, to disturb the equilibrium which normally exists between the four parameters, both in normal and carcinoma tissue fibroblasts.

Carcinoma↗

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans control the response of renal interstitial fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor-2.

BACKGROUND: While the progression of renal disease to end stage is strongly correlated with tubulointerstitial changes, the control of the fibrotic process within the interstitium is poorly understood. Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) has been implicated as a major growth factor involved in fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix synthesis. Furthermore, in many cells, the activity of FGF-2 is controlled by a low-affinity but high-capacity interaction with heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (PGs), such as members of the syndecan family. These molecules are likely to be central to the control of interstitial fibrosis, but as yet, there has been no characterization of their synthesis by interstitial cells. METHODS: The expression of HSPG on the surface of NRK 49F fibroblasts was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and by metabolic labeling with [(35)S]-sulfate. HSs were characterized by specific enzymatic digestion, size exclusion chromatography, and anion exchange chromatography. The mRNA for syndecan 1 through syndecan 4 in the fibroblasts was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Fibroblast proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and [(35)S]-sulfate-labeling demonstrated that renal fibroblasts expressed HSPGs on their surface. Furthermore, enzymatic removal of these HS (but not chondroitin sulfate) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, or inhibition of GAG sulfation, abolished the proliferative response of both NRK cells and primary human cortical fibroblasts to FGF-2 but not to platelet-derived growth factor. The addition of conditioned medium, containing HS-GAG fragments, restored the proliferative response to FGF-2, confirming the specificity of the interaction. Finally, the mRNA for all four syndecans was detected in the fibroblasts, and that for syndecan 1 in particular was up-regulated by FGF-2. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that the expression of cell surface HSPG was essential for the proliferation of renal fibroblasts in response to FGF-2, and therefore may play a major role in the development and persistence of a proliferating phenotype during interstitial nephritis.

Animals↗

[Effects of substance P on granulation tissue fibroblasts proliferation and expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the proliferation-promoting effect of sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro and its regulative effect on the gene expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA. METHODS: The proliferation-promoting effect of cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts was observed by means of MTT; the regulative effect of SP on gene expression of fibroblast bFGF by RT-PCR. The time and dose-efficiency relations were also observed. RESULTS: There was a significant proliferation-promoting effect of SP on the cultured granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro in a remarkable dose-dependent fashion. However, bFGF antibody only partly exerted its inhibitive effect. SP could induce the bFGF mRNA expression of the fibroblasts at the 3rd and 6th hour (P < 0.01). SP could promote the bFGF mRNA expression of the fibroblasts in the concentration of 10(-9) - 10(-5) mol/L and peaked in the concentration of 10(-7) mol/L. CONCLUSIONS: SP has a significant proliferation-promoting effect on the granulation tissue fibroblasts, which is correlated with SP inducing bFGF mRNA expression of fibroblasts.

Animals↗

Basic fibroblast growth factor expression is increased in human renal fibrogenesis and may mediate autocrine fibroblast proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial fibroblasts play a critical role in renal fibrogenesis, and autocrine proliferation of these cells may account for continuous matrix synthesis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is mitogenic for most cells and exerts intracrine, autocrine, and paracrine effects on epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The aims of the present studies were to localize and quantitate the expression of FGF-2 in normal and pathologic human kidneys and to study the in vitro effects of FGF-2 on proliferation, differentiation, and matrix production of isolated cortical kidney fibroblasts. METHODS: FGF-2 protein expression was localized by immunofluoresence double labelings in normal and fibrotic human kidneys. Subsequently, interstitial FGF-2 labeling was determined semiquantitatively in 8 normal kidneys and 39 kidneys with variable degrees of interstitial fibrosis and was correlated with the morphometrically determined interstitial cortical volume. In addition, FGF-2 expression was quantitated by immunoblot analysis in three normal and six fibrotic kidneys. FGF-2 mRNA was localized by in situ hybridizations. Seven primary cortical fibroblast lines were established, and expression of FGF-2 and FGF receptor-1 (FGFR-1) were examined. The effects of FGF-2 on cell proliferation were determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and cell counts, those on differentiation into myofibroblasts by staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and those on matrix synthesis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for collagen type I and fibronectin. Finally, proliferative activity in vivo was evaluated by expression of MIB-1 (Ki-67 antigen). RESULTS: In normal kidneys, FGF-2 expression was confined to glomerular, vascular, and a few tubular as well as interstitial fibroblast-like cells. The expression of FGF-2 protein was increased in human kidneys, with tubulointerstitial scarring correlating with the degree of interstitial fibrosis (r = 0.84, P < 0.01). Immunoblot analyses confirmed a significant increase in FGF-2 protein expression in kidneys with interstitial scarring. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated low-level detection of FGF-2 mRNA in normal kidneys. However, FGF-2 mRNA expression was robustly up-regulated in interstitial and tubular cells in end-stage kidneys, indicating that these cells are the source of excess FGF-2 protein. Primary cortical fibroblasts express FGF-2 and FGFR-1 in vitro. FGF-2 induced a robust growth response in these cells that could be blocked specifically by a neutralizing FGF-2 antibody. Interestingly, the addition of the neutralizing antibody alone did reduce basal proliferation up to 31.5%. In addition, FGF-2 induced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin up to 1.6-fold, but no significant effect was observed on the synthesis of collagen type I and fibronectin. Finally, staining for MIB-1 revealed a good correlation of interstitial FGF-2 positivity with interstitial and tubular proliferative activity (r = 0.71, P < 0.01 for interstitial proliferation, N = 30). CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial FGF-2 protein and mRNA expression correlate with interstitial scarring. FGF-2 is a strong mitogen for cortical kidney fibroblasts and may promote autocrine fibroblast growth. Expression of FGF-2 correlates with interstitial and tubular proliferation in vivo.

Adult↗

Inhibition of type I collagen production by dermal fibroblasts upon contact with activated T cells: different sensitivity to inhibition between systemic sclerosis and control fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of T lymphocyte-fibroblast contact in type I collagen production by cultured dermal fibroblasts from normal individuals and from patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Cell membranes were prepared from activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, or type 1 T helper (Th1) clones, and added to confluent fibroblast monolayers. Type I collagen production was measured in culture supernatants, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of type I procollagen alpha1 (pro alpha1[I]) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) were evaluated by Northern hybridization analysis. RESULTS: Dose-dependent inhibition of type I collagen production was observed with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from both SSc patients and controls. Inhibition of type I collagen was significantly less pronounced in fibroblasts from SSc patients than in fibroblasts from controls (P < 0.02). Inhibition was not reversed by the addition of exogenous transforming growth factor beta, interleukin-4, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, anti-tumor necrosis factor, anti-CD40, or indomethacin, whereas anti-interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) reversed Th1-mediated inhibition. This inhibitory activity was specific for type I collagen, since mRNA levels of pro alpha1(I) were decreased, whereas mRNA levels of MMP-1 were strongly increased. CONCLUSION: The production of type I collagen by skin fibroblasts is specifically down-regulated by membranes from activated T cells. The contact-dependent regulatory activity exerted by T cells on fibroblasts depends, at least in part, on the presence of membrane-associated IFNgamma. However, SSc fibroblasts are more resistant to inhibition than are fibroblasts from normal individuals.

Aged↗

The role of fibroblasts and fibroblast-derived factors in periprosthetic osteolysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate how fibroblasts respond to stimulation with particulate wear debris and/or conditioned media obtained from pathologic tissue, and whether these activated fibroblasts express compounds that are involved in bone resorption. METHODS: Conditioned media from explant cultures of synovial tissue, periprosthetic soft tissue (interface membranes), titanium particles, and proinflammatory cytokines were used to stimulate fibroblasts. RNase protection assay was used to measure altered gene expression, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot hybridization, and flow cytometry were used to determine fibroblast protein expression. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was used to identify multinucleated osteoclast-like cells. RESULTS: The most dominant compounds measured in the conditioned media from interface membranes were tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Fibroblasts phagocytosed particulate wear debris and responded to cytokine/chemokine stimulation. The most prominent up-regulated genes and proteins secreted by fibroblasts in response to stimulation were matrix metalloproteinase 1, MCP-1, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), COX-2, leukemia inhibitory factor 1, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), and TGFbeta receptor type I. In addition, interface membrane fibroblasts expressed RANKL and osteoprotegerin in response to stimulation with conditioned media, TNFalpha, or IL-1beta. Stimulated fibroblasts cocultured with bone marrow cells in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor induced osteoclastogenesis. CONCLUSION: Interface membrane fibroblasts respond directly to particulate wear debris, possibly via phagocytosis, expressing proinflammatory cytokines and RANKL. Thus, these cells may be actively involved in osteoclastogenesis and pathologic (periprosthetic) bone resorption.

Adult↗

Gingival fibroblasts are better at inhibiting osteoclast formation than periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Various studies indicate that periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) have some similarities to osteoblasts, for example they have the capacity to induce the formation of osteoclast-like cells. Here, we investigated whether a second population of tooth-associated fibroblasts, gingival fibroblasts (GF), has similar osteoclastogenesis properties. PLF and GF were co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence and absence of dexamethasone and 1alpha,25dihydroxycholecalciferol (dex + vit D(3)) on plastic and on cortical bone slices. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) positive multinucleated cells (MNCs) were more abundant in co-cultures with PLF than in GF-PBMC co-cultures, more abundant on plastic compared to bone and more abundant in the presence of dex + vit D(3). In line with these findings was an inhibition of MNC formation and not inhibition of existing osteoclasts by medium conditioned by GF. We next investigated whether expression of molecules important for osteoclastogenesis differed between the two types of fibroblasts and whether these molecules were regulated by dex + vit D(3). OPG was detected at high levels in both fibroblast cultures, whereas RANKL could not be detected. Resorption of bone did not occur by the MNCs formed in the presence of either fibroblast subpopulation, suggesting that the fibroblasts secrete inhibitors of bone resorption or that the osteoclast-like cells were not functional. The incapacity of the MNCs to resorb was abolished by culturing the fibroblast-PBMC cultures with M-CSF and RANKL. Our results suggest that tooth-associated fibroblasts may trigger the formation of osteoclast-like cells, but more importantly, they play a role in preventing bone resorption, since additional stimuli are required for the formation of active osteoclasts.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Characterization of adult human heart fibroblasts in culture: a comparative study of growth, proliferation and collagen production in human and rabbit cardiac fibroblasts and their response to transforming growth factor-beta1.

Fibroblasts constitute the majority of non-myocyte cells in the heart, but little is known about the biology of human cardiac fibroblasts. We have cultured and characterized fibroblasts from young adult human heart and compared their biological features with those of cells obtained from the ventricular tissue of sex- and developmental-stage-matched rabbits. Cell morphology and growth was determined by light microscopy and by measuring protein synthesis. The proliferative capacity of cells was determined by measuring the doubling time and the level of incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA under normal conditions of cell culture and in response to several growth factors. Production of collagen type I was determined at the mRNA level by assessing the steady state level of pro alpha1 20(l) collagen mRNA in cardiac fibroblasts under normal culture conditions and in response to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and at the protein level by immuno-slot blot analysis. Ventricular tissue from adult human heart was used successfully for the preparation of passagable (up to nine passages) cultured cardiac fibroblasts. They had a significantly larger surface area per cell than rabbit cells. Under normal culture conditions, they showed a lower rate of DNA synthesis and longer doubling time than rabbit cardiac fibroblasts at the matching passage. The magnitude of growth-factor-induced changes in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA was lower in human cells than in rabbit cardiac fibroblasts, as was the level of mRNA for pro alpha1(l) collagen. The TGF-beta1-induced increase in pro alpha1(l) collagen mRNA was modest in human cardiac fibroblasts. Thus, significant differences exist between the biological properties of human and rabbit cardiac fibroblasts in culture.

Adult↗

Differences in motility pattern between human buccal fibroblasts and periodontal and skin fibroblasts.

Migration of fibroblasts from surrounding normal tissue into the wound bed is an important requirement for successful wound healing. This study investigated the motility pattern of buccal, periodontal and skin fibroblasts to determine whether differences in the wound healing efficiency at these sites can be explained by differences in the motile behavior of their respective fibroblast populations. The migratory characteristics were studied in a two-dimensional culture system. The migration of single cells was time-lapse video recorded at intervals of 15 min for a period of 6 h using a computer-assisted microscope work-station. For evaluation of cell morphology, cell contours were recognized semiautomatically and used for determination of cell area, cell spreading and number and length of processes. We found that the cellular displacement of the buccal fibroblasts was only approximately 50% of the cellular displacement of periodontal and skin fibroblasts. The decreased cellular displacement of the buccal fibroblasts was found to be due to both lower cellular speed and less persistence in direction. The buccal fibroblasts also displayed smaller areas and longer processes. The differences in cellular morphology and motility pattern amongst the three fibroblast types could not be explained by differences in secretion of extracellular matrix components and are therefore believed to reflect phenotypic differences amongst fibroblast subpopulations.

Actins↗

Fibroblasts from post-burn hypertrophic scar tissue synthesize less decorin than normal dermal fibroblasts.

1. Fibroblast cultures were established from biopsies of hypertrophic scar and normal dermis taken from nine patients recovering from second- and third-degree burns. The capacity of these fibroblasts to synthesize the small proteoglycan decorin was assessed by quantitative Western blot analysis of conditioned medium collected from confluent cultures. Levels of mRNA for decorin were assessed by quantitative Northern analysis. Since transforming growth factor-beta 1 is implicated in various fibrotic conditions, including post-burn hypertrophic scar, its effect on decorin synthesis by these paired fibroblast cell strains was assessed. 2. Production of decorin was lower in all cell strains of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts tested, compared with normal dermal fibroblasts cultured from the same patients (mean 49 +/- 23%; P < 0.001, n = 9). Levels of mRNA for decorin were also lower (mean 59 +/- 28%; P < 0.02, n = 7) but those for biglycan and versican were not significantly different. Four pairs of cell strains were examined at more than one passage and the differences in decorin protein were found to be phenotypically persistent. Treatment of confluent cultures with transforming growth factor-beta 1 for 3 days caused a reduction in both decorin protein and mRNA in all six strains of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts tested and in five of six strains of normal dermal fibroblasts. An increase in the length of the dermatan sulphate chain on decorin, a previously reported characteristic of this glycosaminoglycan in hypertrophic scar, was seen in all but two of the strains treated with transforming growth factor-beta 1. The depression of decorin synthesis by transforming growth factor-beta 1 was reversed on removal of the agent and passaging the fibroblasts. 3. The reduced capacity of fibroblasts in hypertrophic scar tissue to synthesize decorin may have implications for the development of the condition since this small proteoglycan is involved in tissue organization and may also play a role in modulating the activity in vivo of fibrogenic cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Adolescent↗