Gene expression of fibroblast matrix proteins is altered by indomethacin

The role of indomethacin in the regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis was studied in dermal fibroblast cultures. Indomethacin (10 microM) blocked totally the prostaglandin secretion and markedly increased the synthesis of collagen. In parallel, measurement of fibronectin, type I and type III procollagen mRNA levels showed a substantial increase under the action of indomethacin. On the other hand, indomethacin did not modify the mRNA levels of dermatan sulfate proteoglycan core protein. Measurement of collagen production estimated as the amount of collagenase digestible protein and by specific radioimmunoassay indicated a good correlation with the corresponding mRNA levels. These results suggest that indomethacin can regulate the extracellular matrix deposition at a transcriptional level.