Effects of botulinum toxin type A on expression of genes in keloid fibroblasts.

Abstract

Invasive growth of fibroblast cells, which is regulated by multiple biological factors, is the key event in the pathophysiology of keloid scars. Recent studies have suggested that botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) could inhibit invasive growth of keloids. However, the molecular mechanisms are unknown. The authors explore the effect of BoNT-A on the expression of genes relevant to invasive growth in keloid fibroblasts. With 112 genes that were relevant to invasive growth, the authors utilized microarray analysis to study messenger RNA expression profiles in keloid fibroblasts treated with BoNT-A. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to confirm the microarray results. Analyses from microarray and qRT-PCR revealed that the S100A4 gene was upregulated and that the TGF-β1, VEGF, MMP-1, and PDGFA genes were downregulated in fibroblasts treated with BoNT-A. The BoNT-A altered expression levels of S100A4, TGF-β1, VEGF, MMP-1, and PDGFA genes in keloid fibroblasts provide a useful clue for exploring the function of BoNT-A and finding a novel treatment for keloid scarring.