Background: We observed the effects of resveratrol on the expression of molecules involved in the mTOR signaling pathway in pathological scar fibroblasts, including PI3K, Akt and mTOR.
Methods: We detected the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR in pathological scar and normal skin fibroblasts through immunofluorescence. After being treated with different concentrations of resveratrol, the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot respectively.
Results: Results showed that the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR were significantly enhanced in pathological scar fibroblasts and mainly expressed in the nucleus, with no expression in normal skin fibroblasts. Results from RT-PCR and Western Blot tests demonstrated that after Res intervention with different concentrations for pathological scar fibroblasts, the relative expression quantity of PI3K mRNA and protein decreased and showed a dose dependent relationship. Compared to the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). However, decrease in the expression of PI3K mRNA and protein was not obvious and there were no significant differences in comparison to the control group (P>0.05).
Conclusions: The mechanism of resveratrol in the inhibition of the proliferation of pathological scar fibroblasts may be related to its down-regulation in the expression of Akt and mTOR, which are the key molecules of mTOR signaling pathway.