CLC-3 regulates TGF-β/smad signaling pathway to inhibit the process of fibrosis in hypertrophic scar

Heliyon. 2024 Jan 19;10(3):e24984. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24984. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.

Abstract

Objective: To study the role and mechanism of chloride channel-3 (ClC-3) in the formation of hypertrophic scar by constructing ClC-3 interference vectors and examining their effects on human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFB).

Methods: Human HSFB and human normal skin fibroblasts (NSFB) were used in this study, and ClC-3 interference vectors were constructed to transfect cells. ClC-3 inhibitors NPPB and Tamoxifen were used to treat cells. Cell migration and the expression of TGF-β/Smad, CollagenⅠ,CollagenⅢ were examined to explore the role of ClC-3 in the formation of hypertrophic scar.

Results: Compared with the normal skin tissue, the positive expression of ClC-3 and TGF-β in the scar tissue was significantly increased. The relative expression of ClC-3 and TGF-β1 in HSFB cells was higher than that in NSFB cells. Interfering with the expression of CLC-3 can inhibit the migration of HSFB cells and the expression of TGF- β/Smad, CollagenⅠ/Ⅲ. The experiment of HSFB cells treated by CLC-3 inhibitors can also obtain similar results.

Conclusion: Inhibiting CLC-3 can reduce the formation of hypertrophic scars.

Keywords: ClC-3; HSFB; Hypertrophic scar; TGF-β1/Smad3.