mTOR inhibitors potentially reduce TGF-β2-induced fibrogenic changes in trabecular meshwork cells

Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 8;11(1):14111. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93580-3.

Abstract

We examined the effects of mTOR inhibitors on the fibrotic response induced by transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells. TGF-β2-induced expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in hTM cells was examined in the presence or absence of mTOR inhibitors using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The migration rates of hTM cells were examined in the presence of TGF-β2 with or without mTOR inhibitors. An in vitro study showed that the expression of fibronectin, COL1A1, and αSMA was upregulated by TGF-β2 treatment of hTM cells; such upregulation was significantly suppressed by mTOR inhibitors. The inhibitors significantly reduced the migration rate of TGF-β2-stimulated hTM cells. mTOR inhibitors may usefully reduce the fibrotic response of hTM cells and we may have to explore if it is also effective in in vivo model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Blood Proteins / pharmacology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Trabecular Meshwork / metabolism
  • Trabecular Meshwork / pathology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta2 / pharmacology*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • ACTA2 protein, human
  • Actins
  • Blood Proteins
  • Collagen Type I
  • Fibronectins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta2
  • torin
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Sirolimus