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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue
Published on: July 28, 2023
A novel regulatory function for miR-29a in keloid fibrogenesis
G-Y Zhang1,2, L-C Wu3, T Liao4
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Background:
A growing body of evidence has shown that microRNA-29 (miR-29) plays a central role in the progression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of miR-29 in keloid fibrogenesis remain unknown.
Aim:
To investigate the roles of miR-29 in dermal fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of keloids.
Methods:
Primary fibroblasts from 9 patients with keloid and 6 healthy controls (HCs) were cultured and pretreated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Next, fibroblasts were transfected with precursor miRNA and anti-miR-29a miRNA. TGF-β1-associated miR-29 alterations were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Collagen I and collagen III protein levels were analysed by western blotting.
Results:
miR-29a, miR-29b and miR-29c levels were significantly lower in keloid compared with healthy fibroblasts (P < 0.05), and in particular, miR-29a was especially markedly reduced (P < 0.001). Type I and type III collagen mRNA and protein levels were decreased in keloid fibroblasts transfected with pre-miR-29a (P < 0.05), whereas knockdown with anti-miR-29a increased type I and type III collagen mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.05) in the fibroblasts. Interestingly, pretreatment of fibroblasts with TGF-β1 significantly decreased miR-29a (P < 0.05), whereas miR-29b and miR-29c were reduced to a lesser extent, which was not significant.
Conclusions:
These findings show that miR-29a exerts as a novel regulator in the fibrogenesis of keloid, suggesting that miR-29a might be a novel marker for keloid.
Insights
MicroRNA-29a (miR-29a) is significantly reduced in keloid fibroblasts, impacting collagen production. Restoring miR-29a levels may offer a new therapeutic strategy for keloid fibrogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Fibrosis Research
Background:
- MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) is implicated in fibrosis progression.
- The specific role of miR-29 in keloid fibrogenesis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of miR-29 in dermal fibroblasts during keloid pathogenesis.
- To explore the relationship between miR-29 and collagen production in keloids.
Main Methods:
- Primary keloid and healthy fibroblasts were cultured and treated with TGF-β1.
- Fibroblasts were transfected with miR-29a mimics and inhibitors.
- Collagen I and III expression was quantified using qPCR and Western blotting.
Main Results:
- miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c levels were significantly lower in keloid fibroblasts.
- miR-29a levels were markedly reduced in keloid tissues.
- Overexpression of miR-29a decreased collagen I and III, while inhibition increased them.
- TGF-β1 treatment reduced miR-29a expression in fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- miR-29a acts as a novel regulator in keloid fibrogenesis.
- miR-29a may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for keloids.
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