Study on the role of activation of TGF-β pathway by ASPN in the occurrence and develop-ment of keloid and the underlying mechanisms
XU Xueyan
CHEN Junyi
YAO Liuyi
DENG Chengcheng
Abstract：Objective To investigate the role of ASPN in the development of keloid and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the expres-sion levels of ASPN in keloid of keloid patients and normal scar.WB and qRT-PCR were used to assess the activity of TGF-β pathway and expression levels of α-SMA、Collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ,COMP and POSTN in fibroblasts with overexpression of ASPN,ASPN-treated fibroblasts and Keloid fibroblasts with ASPN knockdown.Moreover,wound healing was observed in C57BL/6J mice treated with or without ASPN at 0 d,3 d,7 d,and 14 d after wound.The expression levels of α-SMA、CollagenⅠ/Ⅲ and TGF-β in the wounded skin were assessed by immunofluorescence staining 14 days af-ter wound.Results ASPN was highly expressed in keloid fibroblasts.The expression levels of α-SMA、Collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ、COMP and POSTN were significantly increased,and the TGF-β signaling pathway was activated in fibroblasts after either overexpression of or stimulation with ASPN(P＜0.05).In contrast,knockdown of ASPN significantly decreased the expression levels of α-SMA、Collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ,COMP and POSTN and inhibited TGF-β3 pathway in fibroblasts from keloids(P＜0.05).In addition,ASPN significantly increased the expression levels of p-SMAD2、α-SMA and Collagen Ⅰ and activated TGF-β signaling pathway in the wound area(P＜0.05 vs.controls),without altering the wound healing process.Conclusion ASPN promotes the development of ke-loid by activating TGF-β signaling pathway.
Keywords：keloidASPN proteinTGF-β pathwaycollagenPOSTN protein
Publication Date：2025-01-27
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 6-15 )