Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the effect of integrin β1 in trans-differentiation of human len epithelial cells(HLECs) induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) in vitro. Methods   HLECs were cultured and passaged． The 3rd generation of HLECs were treated with TGF-β2． Expressions of integrin β1, E-cadherin,α-SMA and F-actin in the cells were analyzed with immunofluorescent staining. Expressions of α-SMA mRNA and Ecadherin mRNA were detected by RTPCR. For some cells, disintegrin kistrin was pre-treated 1h followed by TGF-β2 incubation in 48h. Results   Expressions of integrin β1,α-SMA and F-actin were significantly increased after treatment of TGF-β2, while expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased after treatment of TGF-β2． Disintegrin kistrin partly reversed TGF-β2 induced expressions o f a-SMA, F-actin and Ecadherin. Conclusion   TGF-β2 induced trans-differentiation of HLECs towards myofibroblasts. Integrin β1 was involved in initiation of the trans-differentiation induced by TGF-β2.

Key words: Integrin β1; Transforming growth factor; Human len epithelial cells; Transdifferentiation; Kistrin