Role of chymase in the local renin-angiotensin system in keloids: inhibition of chymase may be an effective therapeutic approach to treat keloids

• Main Authors: Wang R, Chen J, Zhang Z, Cen Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2015-08-01
• Series: Drug Design, Development and Therapy
• Online Access: http://www.dovepress.com/role-of-chymase-in-the-local-renin-angiotensin-system-in-keloids-inhib-peer-reviewed-article-DDDT

Ru Wang, Junjie Chen, Zhenyu Zhang, Ying CenDepartment of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaBackground: Histologically, keloids contain excess fibroblasts and an overabundance of dermal collagen. Recently, it was reported that chymase induced a profibrotic response via transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad activation in keloid fibroblasts (KFs). However, the role of chymase in the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in keloids has not been elucidated. This study aims to determine whether chymase plays an important role in the local RAS in keloids.Methods: We compared the expression and activity of chymase in keloids and normal skin tissues using Western blotting and radioimmunoassay, and studied the expression of TGF-β1, interleukin-1β, collagen I, hydroxyproline, and angiotensin II in KFs after chymase and inhibitors’ treatment.Results: The results revealed an increased activity of chymase in keloid tissues, and that chymase enhanced the expression of angiotensin II, collagen I, TGF-β1, and interleukin-1β in KFs. Blockade of the chymase pathway involved in the local RAS lowered the expression of these signaling factors.Conclusion: This research suggests that inhibition of chymase might be an effective therapeutic approach to improve the clinical treatment of keloids.Keywords: pathological scar, chymase, angiotensin II, therapy