Whole-genome microarray analysis of human skin fibroblasts. Homo sapiens

Connective tissue growthfactor (CTGF/CCN2) is a matricellular protein induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and intimately involved with tissue repair and overexpressed in various fibrotic conditions. We have previously shown that keratinocytes in vitro downregulate TGF-beta induced expression of CTGF in fibroblasts by an interleukin-1 alfa (IL-1alfa) dependent mechanism. With this study we want to get a better overall perspective who fibroblasts respond on TGF-beta and in a TGF-Beta stinulated system, what effect addition of IL-1 alfa have. This to understand the expression of CTGF in human fibroblasts which in turn have implications for the pathogenesis of fibrotic conditions involving the skin. Overall design: Microarray was performed on human skin fibroblast RNA from one patient, Fibroblasts were seeded in vitro as a control (Control, C), TGF-beta were added to fibroblasts and incubated for 16 h (addition of TGF-beta, T) and both IL-1alfa and TGF-beta were added to fibroblasts for 16 h (addition of IL-1alfa and TGF-beta, IT). Each condition (C,T and IT) were done in three replicates.