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Published on: June 25, 2017
Sulfatide inhibits fibroblast growth, activation and oxidative stress induced by ectopic insulin
Allan Roeske-Nielsen1, Jan-Eric Månsson2,3, Hasim Tekin1
1Bartholin Instituttet, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Aim:
To study the effect of sulfatide on gene expression and proliferation of human primary fibroblasts induced by insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and human growth hormone.
Materials And Methods:
Human primary fibroblasts were exposed to 1, 3 and 30 μM of sulfatide or its precursor galactosylceramide (GalCer). Proliferation was determined by 3 H-thymidine incorporation and gene expression via microarray analysis.
Results:
Sulfatide and GalCer reduced the growth rate of fibroblasts by 32%-82% when exposed to 0.5 nM insulin. After challenge with 120 μM of H2 O2 , sulfatide reduced membrane leakage. Fibroblast gene expression was altered by sulfatide in gene pathways associated with cell cycle/growth, transforming growth factor-β function, and encoding of proteins involved in intracellular signalling. NFKBIA, a key control element in NF-кB regulation, was decreased 2-fold by sulfatide.
Conclusions:
Sulfatide strongly inhibits fibroblast growth. We therefore suggest the addition of sulfatide to injectable commercial insulin formulations, which would reduce adverse fibroblast growth and improve well-being in patients with diabetes.
Insights
Sulfatide significantly inhibits human fibroblast growth, offering a potential therapeutic addition to insulin formulations for diabetes patients. This could reduce adverse effects and enhance patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fibroblast proliferation is crucial for tissue repair but can be dysregulated.
- Insulin and related growth factors stimulate fibroblast activity.
- Sulfatides are sphingolipids with diverse cellular roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of sulfatide on human primary fibroblast gene expression and proliferation.
- To assess sulfatide's effects in conjunction with insulin and other growth factors.
Main Methods:
- Human primary fibroblasts were treated with varying concentrations of sulfatide and galactosylceramide (GalCer).
- Proliferation was measured using 3H-thymidine incorporation.
- Gene expression profiling was performed using microarray analysis.
Main Results:
- Sulfatide and GalCer inhibited fibroblast growth by 32%-82% when combined with insulin.
- Sulfatide reduced membrane leakage following hydrogen peroxide challenge.
- Gene expression analysis revealed alterations in cell cycle, TGF-β signaling, and intracellular signaling pathways, including a 2-fold decrease in NFKBIA.
Conclusions:
- Sulfatide demonstrates a potent inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation.
- The addition of sulfatide to insulin formulations may mitigate adverse fibroblast proliferation in diabetic patients.
- This approach could improve patient outcomes and well-being.
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