Differential Expression of Extracellular Matrix-Associated Genes Between Dermal and Gingival Fibroblasts in Response to Arachidonic Acid

Protein and mRNA were extracted right after (0 hr) and 24 hr after AA treatment. At a defined concentration of AA in hGFs and hDFs, MTT assay was performed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of COX-2, TGF-β, collagen 1 and 3, MMP 1 and TIMP 1 were examined by Real-time PCR and Western blots. The amounts of PGE2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of COX-2 and TGF-β exhibited reduced levels in hGFs , but were increased in hDFs at 24 hr after AA treatment. Production of PGE2 was increased in hGFs and hDFs at right after AA treatment but, not changed at 24 hr after AA treatment. The protein and mRNA expression of collagen 1 and 3 were decreased in hGFs , whereas increased in hDFs at 24 hr AA treatment. Expression of MMP-1 protein was increased in hGFs at 24 hr but, was decreased in hDFs at 24 hr compared with that of control. The protein expression of TIMP-1 was decreased in hGFs but, was increased in hDFs at 24 hr compared with that of control. These observations demonstrate differential expression between gingival and dermal fibroblasts in regulation of collagenolytic capacity by extracellular matrix-associated genes in keloid formation associated with wound repair.