Fig. 1.
SP induces contraction and upregulates gene expression of collagens and fibrotic markers in quiescent keratocytes. a RT-qPCR showed that COL5A1 gene was upregulated both 4 days and 8 days after treatment with 10−5M SP. Gene expression of LUM was downregulated at day 4 but upregulated 8 days after the treatment. Gene expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 was upregulated 8 days after treatment; however, it was unaffected 4 days after treatment. b RT-qPCR showed that gene expression of two fibrotic markers: FN and ACTA2 was upregulated both 4 days and 8 days after treatment with 10−5M SP. c Bovine collagen I liquid gel was mixed together with 0.25 × 106 keratocytes and 0.1% FBS. The experimental group gels contained 10−5M SP. Gels consisting only of keratocytes and 0.1% FBS served as controls (ctrl). Gel contraction assay revealed that treatment of keratocytes with 10−5M SP results in increased contraction as soon as 4 h after treatment. Values are means ± SD. n.s. (not significant); *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001