Effects of decorin on collagen type I of rat tendon cells and its mRNA expression in vitro

Objective: To investigate the effects of decorin on collagen type I and mRNA expression of rat tendon cells and provide theory bases for further clinical application. Methods: After synchronization,cell culture medium were supplied with 50 μg/μL of decorin. Collagen type I was measured and compared with negative control by immunocytochemical staining and immuneoflurorescence assay after 12 hours culturing, while mRNA level of collagen type I was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results: In the early stage of culturing, decorin can significantly decrease the synthesis of collagen type I protein (P0.05), and down-regulate the level of collagen type I mRNA(P0.05). Conclusions: Decorin has a significant inhibitory effect on the synthesis of collagen type I and the mRNA expression of rat tendon cells in vitro.