Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue
Published on: October 12, 2013
Apigenin decreases expression of the myofibroblast phenotype
D A Ricupero1, C F Poliks, D C Rishikof
1Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine and the Boston VA Medical Center, 02118, Boston, MA 02118, USA. ricupero@bu.edu
Abstract:
We investigated the effect of the dietary flavonoid apigenin on myofibroblast function. We report that in myofibroblasts treated with apigenin, proliferation and basal levels of alpha1(I) collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNAs were markedly reduced. Apigenin also attenuated the transforming growth factor-beta-stimulated increases of alpha1(I) collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNAs. Characterization of the apigenin effects indicates that apigenin reduces both the stability of the alpha1(I) collagen mRNA and the rate of transcription of the alpha1(I) collagen gene through a cycloheximide-sensitive pathway. Western blot analyses indicate that Akt activity is reduced in apigenin-treated myofibroblasts.
Related Concept Videos
Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
Introduction to Fibroblasts
TGF - β Signaling Pathway

