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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue
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Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue

Published on: July 28, 2023

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Downregulation of miR‑637 promotes proliferation and metastasis by targeting Smad3 in keloids

Ye Zhang1, Bingyu Guo1, Qiang Hui1

  • 1Department of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China.

Molecular Medicine Reports
|May 31, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate keloid scarring. Increased miR-637 levels inhibit keloid cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting Smad3, suggesting miR-637 as a potential therapeutic target for abnormal scarring.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Keloids are abnormal scars resulting from dysregulated wound healing.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cellular processes, including proliferation and metastasis.
  • Altered miRNA expression is implicated in keloid pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of specific microRNAs in keloid formation.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets for keloid treatment.

Main Methods:

  • miRNA microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in keloids.
  • In vitro studies using human keloid fibroblast (HKF) cells.
  • Target validation by assessing the effect of miR-637 on Smad3 expression and signaling.

Main Results:

  • miR-637 was identified as a significantly altered miRNA in keloids.
  • Overexpression of miR-637 suppressed proliferation and metastasis of HKF cells.
  • miR-637 directly targeted mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)3, inhibiting the Smad3 signaling pathway.

Conclusions:

  • miR-637 plays a crucial role in regulating keloid fibroblast behavior.
  • The miR-637/Smad3 axis is a key pathway in keloid development.
  • miR-637 represents a potential therapeutic target for managing keloids.

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