Proteoglycan expression during transforming growth factor beta -induced keratocyte-myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

ABSTRACT: Keratocytes of the corneal stroma secrete a unique population of proteoglycan molecules considered essential for corneal transparency. In healing corneal wounds, keratocytes exhibit a myofibroblastic phenotype in response to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), characterized by expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. This study examined proteoglycan and collagen expression by keratocytes in vitro during the TGF-beta-induced keratocyte-myofibroblast transition. TGF-beta-treated primary bovine keratocytes developed myofibroblastic features, including actin stress fibers anchored to paxillin-containing focal adhesions, cell-associated fibronectin, alpha(5) integrin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Collagen I and III protein and mRNA increased in response to TGF-beta. Secretion of [(35)

SUBMITTER: Funderburgh JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2876312 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature