Effects of hypoxia on phenotype of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts

Objective To observe the effects of hypoxia on phenotype of cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. Methods Cardiac fibroblasts(CFs) were isolated from adult Wistar rat ventricle and cultured in vitro. Then CFs specimens were divided into two groups:control group and hypoxic group, and cultured in normal oxygen condition and low oxygen(2%) tank respectively, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein level was determined by immunostaining, collagen protein and total protein synthesis were determined by measuring the collagenase sensitive ~3H-proline incorporation and the ~3H-leucine incorporation after cultured for 24 and 48 h respectively. Results As compared with control group the collagenase sensitive ~3H-proline incorporation of CFs was increased by 132%(P0.05)and 163%(P0.01) after 24 h, 48 h hypoxia exposure respectively. Conclusions The results suggest that hypoxia can induce differentiation of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.