Acetylcholine decreases formation of myofibroblasts and excessive extracellular matrix production in an in vitro human corneal fibrosis model.

ABSTRACT: Acetylcholine (ACh) has been reported to play various physiological roles, including wound healing in the cornea. Here, we study the role of ACh in the transition of corneal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and in consequence its role in the onset of fibrosis, in an in vitro human corneal fibrosis model. Primary human keratocytes were obtained from healthy corneas. Vitamin C (VitC) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were used to induce fibrosis in corneal fibroblasts. qRT-PCR and ELISA analyses showed that gene expression and production of collagen I, collagen III, collagen V, lumican, fibronectin (FN) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were reduced by ACh in quiescent keratocytes. ACh treatment furthermore decreased gene expression and production of collagen I, collagen III, co

SUBMITTER: Sloniecka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7176861 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature