Expression of Smad3 signal way and CTGF in scleral fibroblasts of guinea pigs
AIM: To investigate the possible mechanism of Smad3 signal way and CTGF in the development of form deprivation myopia (FDM) by detecting the expression of CTGF and Smad3 in scleral fibroblasl of guinea pigs ( GSF) in vitro. METHODS: RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA of CTGF and Smad3 and Western Blot was used to determine the protein levels of CTGF and Smad3 in scleral fibroblasts. RESULTS: Western Blot and RT-PCR revealed that CTGF and Smad3 protein and mRNA were up-unregulated in the cells induced by TGF-β1. The results of MTT showed that TGF-β1 significantly induced fibroblasts proliferation. CONCLUSION: TGF-β1 up-regulates the expression of CTGF and Smad3.