[The effect of transforming growth factor-beta on collagen expression by human embryonic fibroblasts]

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a cytokine with diverse biological activity. It can regulate the metabolic function of extracellular matrix (ECM) and play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Collagen are major ECM components that are responsible for normal lung structure and function. Collagen accumulation is a major feature of pulmonary fibrosis. In order to study the mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis, we examined the effects of TGF-beta on the production, mRNA expression of type I collagen and type IV collagen by cultures of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. The results indicated that TGF-beta can induce collagen formation and type I collagen, type IV collagen mRNA expression without affecting cell proliferation. We concluded that TGF-beta plays a role in collagen accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis and the changes in collagen production appear to be mediated on collagen mRNA level.