EFFECT OF TRIPTOLIDE ON PROLIFERATION AND APOPTOSIS OF ANGIOTENSIN II-INDUCED CARDIAC FIBROBLASTS IN VITRO: A...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Cell Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cardiac fibrosis is a significant contributor to heart disease.
• The role of triptolide (TPL) in cardiac fibroblast (CFb) function and fibrosis is largely unexplored.
• Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to induce CFb proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of TPL on proliferation and apoptosis of Ang II-induced CFbs.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, specifically the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Main Methods:

• CFbs were stimulated with Ang II to induce proliferation.
• TPL was administered at two dosages (10ng/ml and 100ng/ml).
• Cell viability (MTT assay), apoptosis (flow cytometry), hydroxyproline concentration, and TGF-β1/Smad3 mRNA expression (qRT-PCR) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Ang II significantly increased CFb proliferation.
• TPL treatment markedly reduced CFb viability and hydroxyproline concentration.
• TPL significantly promoted CFb apoptosis.
• TPL decreased the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA in Ang II-treated CFbs.

Conclusions:

• TPL inhibits rat cardiac fibroblast proliferation via down-regulation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.
• TPL demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for myocardial fibrosis.