Effects of TGF-β1 on cellular proliferation and expression of type IIIcollagen by cultured rat renal interstitial fibroblasts

Aim To investigate the effects of TGF β1 on proliferation and type Ⅲcollagen mRNA expression of rat renal interstitial fibroblasts in vitro for elucidating the role of fibroblasts and TGF β1 in renal interstitial fibrosis. Methods The cells were cultured in media containing various contents of TGF β1. The Proliferation and expression of type Ⅲcollagen mRNA of the cells were assayed with MTT method and RT PCR, respectively. Results TGF β1 had a stimulating effect on proliferation with dose dependence(TGF β1 0～20 μg/L),and induced an increasing expression of type Ⅲcollagen mRNA with dose de pendence(TGF β1 0～10 μg/L)and time dependence(0～48 hours)to the renal fibroblasts. Conclusion TGF β1 is involved in proliferation of renal interstitial fibroblasts with their type Ⅲcollagen mRNA expression, and might play an important role in renal interstitial fibrosis.