[Effect of cyclosporine A on TGF-β/Smad3 signaling in rat gingival fibroblasts].

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on TGF-β/Smad3 signaling in rat gingival fibroblasts and to explore the mechanism of CsA induced gingival overgrowth.

METHODS: Healthy Sprague-Dawley rat gingival fibroblasts were cultured with different concentrations of CsA and the cell proliferations were assessed with CCK-8 assay. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1, Smad3 and collagen I were measured by real-time PCR. The protein level of TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3 and collagen I were determined using western blot and immumofluorescence. Cell migration ability was detected by cell wound scratch assay. The data was analyzed with SPSS 20.0 software package.

RESULTS: The use of 200 ng/mL CsA stimulated proliferation and migration of gingival fibroblasts. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and collagen I were significantly promoted after CsA exposure. The protein syntheses of TGF-β1, p-Smad3 and Collagen I were also increased by CsA stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS: CsA may activate TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, thus promoting the proliferation and migration of rat gingival fibroblasts as well as collagen accumulation, which eventually lead to gingival overgrowth.