Objective: To explore the possibility of a CTGF originated hexadeca-peptide (named P16) to compete with the CTGF in binding integrin avP3 on rat tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) and inhibit the transdifferentiation and myofibroblasts of NRK-52E cells induced by CTGF.
Methods: The NRK-52E cells were cultured in a condition with the existence of CTGF, P16-FITC (P16 labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate), or both for 24h. The immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR were employed to detect the expressions of the protein and mRNA of alpha-SMA and the collagen I and IV which indicate the cell trans-differentiation and fibrosis.
Results: The P16 had stronger affinity with the NRK-52E cells than the CTGF. In a CTGF and P16 co-culture system, the P16 inhibited the expression of a-SMA, collagen I and IV up-regulated by the CTGF. However, P16 alone had no effect on cell trans-differentiation and fibrosis.
Conclusion: The synthesized P16 is capable of binding with NRK-52E cells and inhibiting trans-differentiation and fibrosis of the NRK-52E cells induced by CTGF in vitro. This finding offers a possibility of developing a novel antifibrosis therapy that targets CTGF receptor.