Effects of transforming growth factor-β₁ on gene expression of Smads in orbital fibroblasts with thyroid-associated oph- thalmolopathy

Abstract

AIM:To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)on gene expression of main components of Smads family including Smad3, Smad4 and Smad7 in orbital fibroblasts(OF)of fibrosis extraocular muscle with thyroid -associated ophthalmopathy(TAO). METHODS: OF were treated with 5μg/L TGF-β1 at different time points(0min, 15min, 30min,1h, 2h and 4h), and real-time quantitative RT-PCR was performed to observe the effects of TGF-β1 on the expression of Smad3, Smad4 and Smad7 mRNA.RESULTS: The expression of Smad3 mRNA was 10.71 times to that of control group at 15min and 25.07 times at 1h(PPPCONCLUSION: TGF-β1 up-regulate the expression of Smad3, Smad4, Smad7 mRNA in OF in a time dependent fashion, TGF-β1/Smad pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of extraocular muscle fibrosis with TAO.

Keywords

• thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
• extraocular muscle fibrosis
• transforming growth factor-β₁
• Smads
• orbital fibroblasts