Inhibition Effects of IFN-γ on TNF-α Enhanced Proliferation of OSF-Derived Fibroblasts

Objective To investigate the inhibition effects of IFN-γ on TNF-α enhanced proliferation of oral submucous fibrosis(OSF)-derived fibroblasts to see if IFN-γ can be used as a therapeutic regimen for OSF. Methods Primary fibroblast cultures were established from the buccal mucosa of five normal persons and six patients with OSF; and the effects of IFN-γ on the growth of TNF-α enhanced fibroblasts growth and proliferation by MTT colorimetric assay in vitro were studied. Result IFN-γ reduced the TNF-α enhanced growth and proliferation of oral mucosal-derived fibroblasts from both the OSF patients and the normal subjects. Conclusions The results show that IFN-γ is a cytokine which down-regulates effects on the TNF-α enhanced growth and proliferation of fibroblasts derived from patient with OSF, and suggest that IFN-γ might be play an important role in prevention and treatment of OSF.