Adipose tissue-derived stem cells inhibit hypertrophic scar (HS) fibrosis via p38/MAPK pathway.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was designed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on hypertrophic scar (HS) fibrosis.

METHOD: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of collagen I (Col1), collagen III (Col3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) after fibroblasts and cultured HS tissues were treated with ADSC medium. All data were analyzed by using SPSS17.0 software. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t tests.

RESULTS

The in vitro study showed that ADSC medium decreased the expression of Col1, Col3, and α-SMA. In addition, the protein level of p-p38 was downregulated by ADSC medium treatment in a concentration dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrated that ADSC could decrease collagen deposition and scar formation in in vitro experiments. The regulation of the p38/MAPK signaling pathway might play an important role in the process.