Effect of Resveratrol on MMP-2 Expression in Scleral Fibroblasts: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) and its potential mechanism.

Methods

HFSFs were randomly divided into the Res-treated group and the control group. Following, HFSFs were treated with or without a concentration of 10 μM Res for 48 h. To detect the expression of related genes, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used. The apoptosis rate of different groups was determined using flow cytometry.

Results

The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), Collagen, Type I, Alpha 1 (COL1A1), Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)” was downregulated in the Res-treatment group compared to the control group, according to RT-qPCR. Western blotting revealed that Res therapy reduced the expression of MMP-2, JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, and Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax) while increasing the expression of COL1A1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was significantly lower in HFSFs treated with Res.

Conclusions

In conclusion, these findings suggest that Res increases COL1A1 expression while inhibiting MMP-2 and cell apoptosis in HFSFs, possibly through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Keywords:

• Resveratrol
• scleral remodeling
• myopia
• matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2
• JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Author contributions

The experiment was planned, carried out, and written by Xiaolan Tang. Hua Li provided advice on specifics. Both Sha Lv and Shichun Liu took part in the study. Shichun Liu, Shengfang Song, and Hua Li all made significant edits to the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Table 1. Primers for genes.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Chongqing Municipal Science and Health Commission Joint Medical Program] [2021MSXM199]; [Post-graduate Innovation Fund of Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University] under Grant [YJSCX202104].