Tamoxifen Alters TGF-β1/Smad Signaling in Vocal Fold Injury

Effective treatments for vocal fold fibrosis remain elusive. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and was recently reported to have antifibrotic actions. We hypothesized that TAM inhibits vocal fold fibrosis via altered transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches were employed to address this hypothesis.

In vitro, vocal fold fibroblasts were treated with TAM (10^-8 or 10^-9  M) ± TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) to quantify cell proliferation. The effects of TAM on genes related to fibrosis were quantified via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vivo, rat vocal folds were unilaterally injured, and TAM was administered by oral gavage from pre-injury day 5 to post-injury day 7. The rats were randomized into two groups: 0 mg/kg/day (sham) and 50 mg/kg/day (TAM). Histological changes were examined on day 56 to assess tissue architecture.

TAM (10^-8  M) did not affect Smad3, Smad7, Acta2, or genes related to extracellular matrix metabolism. TAM (10^-8 or 10^-9  M) + TGF-β1, however, significantly increased Smad7 and Has3 expression and decreased Col1a1 and Acta2 expression compared to TGF-β1 alone. In vivo, TAM significantly increased lamina propria area, hyaluronic acid concentration, and reduced collagen deposition compared to sham treatment.

TAM has antifibrotic potential via the regulation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling in vocal fold injury. These findings provide foundational data to develop innovative therapeutic options for vocal fold fibrosis.

NA Laryngoscope, 133:2248-2254, 2023.