Aim
We aimed to investigate the potential role of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in the regulation of the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) in human myometrial fibroblasts.
Methods
Primary myometrial fibroblasts were obtained from myometrium and were identified by immunocytochemical staining. Then, 1 × 107 cells were treated with ET‐1 at a concentration of 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, or 100.0 nM for 24 h. To investigate the time course effects of ET‐1 on the growth of fibroblasts, 1 × 107 cells were treated with 10.0 nM ET‐1 for 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. Real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of α‐SMA mRNA and protein, respectively.
Results
Human myometrial fibroblasts were identified by immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of α‐SMA mRNA and protein were identified in cells treated with ET‐1 at a concentration of 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, or 100.0 nM for 24 h (P < 0.05). ET‐1 treatment affected the expression of α‐SMA mRNA and protein in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). The induction of α‐SMA mRNA and protein expression increased from 6 to 48 h.
Conclusion
The results show that ET‐1 induces the expression of α‐SMA in human myometrium in vitro.