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The stimulatory effects of alpha1-adrenergic receptors on TGF-beta1, IGF-1 and hyaluronan production in human skin fibroblasts

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Abstract

Skin fibroblasts modulate tissue repair, wound healing and immunological responses. Adrenergic receptors (ARs) mediate important physiological functions, such as endocrine, metabolic and neuronal activity. In this study, the expression α1A-ARs in human skin fibroblasts is examined and verified. Regulatory effects of α1-agonist cirazoline on cell migration and the production of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), hyaluronan (HA), fibronectin and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide (PIP) by human skin fibroblasts are assessed and validated. α1A-AR mRNA and protein were found in human skin fibroblasts WS1. Exposure of cirazoline doubled skin fibroblast migration and the increase in cell migration was attenuated by α1-antagonist prazosin. TGF-β1 mRNA and production were enhanced after exposure to cirazoline and IGF-1 production was also increased after treatment with cirazoline. Exposure to cirazoline also enhanced HA and PIP production. The increases in TGF-β1, IGF-1, HA and PIP production were partially abolished in fibroblasts transfected with α1A-AR short interfering RNAs, indicating that α1A-ARs are involved in the cirazoline-induced increases in TGF-β1, IGF-1, HA and PIP production. Thus, α1A-ARs are stably expressed and stimulate cell migration and TGF-β1, IGF-1, HA and PIP production in human skin fibroblasts. Moreover, TGF-β1, IGF-1, HA and PIP production and the cell migration of human skin fibroblasts are possibly modulated by natural catecholamines produced by the endocrine system or sympathetic innervation, which could directly or indirectly participate in cytokine secretion, fibroblast migration and matrix production of wound healing in the skin.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation to Dr. Yu-Kuei Chen, Ms Tsuei-Ling Shiu, Mr. Jen-Jie Lin, Prof. Wen-Ling Shih, Dr. Yi-Lun Tsai, Dr. Yu-Jen Wu and Dr. Zhi-Jiao Cheng from Meiho University and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology for their research support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan

    Ming-Huei Liao & Shyh-Shyan Liu

  2. Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan

    I-Chin Peng

  3. Department of Beauty Science, Meiho University, Pingtung, 91202, Taiwan

    Feng-Jen Tsai & Han Hsiang Huang

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  1. Ming-Huei Liao
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  2. Shyh-Shyan Liu
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  5. Han Hsiang Huang
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Correspondence to Han Hsiang Huang.

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This work was funded by grants (NSC-100-2320-B-276-001 and NSC-101-2320-B-276-001) from the National Science Council, Taiwan.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Liao, MH., Liu, SS., Peng, IC. et al. The stimulatory effects of alpha1-adrenergic receptors on TGF-beta1, IGF-1 and hyaluronan production in human skin fibroblasts. Cell Tissue Res 357, 681–693 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-014-1893-x

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