The Long Non-Coding RNA LncRNA8975-1 is Upregulated in Hypertrophic Scar Fibroblasts and Controls Collagen Expression

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are thought to play crucial roles in human diseases. However, the function of lncRNAs in hypertrophic scar formation remains poorly understood.

In this study, we investigated the expression of lncRNA8975-1 in hypertrophic scar tissues and fibroblasts by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). To investigate its function, overexpression and knockdown of lncRNA8975-1 were performed using lentivirus infection and Stealth RNAi transfection, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of collagens and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analysed by western blot.

We found that lncRNA8975-1 was overexpressed in hypertrophic scar tissues and dermal fibroblasts. Overexpression of lncRNA8975-1 inhibited cell proliferation and reduced the protein expression levels of COL1A2, COL1A1, COL3A1 and α-SMA in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, whereas knockdown of lncRNA8975-1 had the opposite effect.

Our results show that the long non-coding RNA lncRNA8975-1 is upregulated in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts; furthermore, it inhibits fibroblast proliferation and reduces collagen and α-SMA expression. Further studies on the mechanisms regulated by lncRNA8975-1 would lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar formation.