Genistein does not inhibit TGF-beta1-induced conversion of human dermal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts

Physiol Res. 2021 Nov 29;70(5):815-820. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934666. Epub 2021 Sep 10.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) is a pro-fibrotic cytokine with a key role in wound repair and regeneration, including induction of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. Genistein is a naturally occurring selective estrogen receptor modulator with promising anti-fibrotic properties. In the present study we aimed to investigate whether genistein modulates TGF-beta1 (canonical and non-canonical) signaling in normal dermal fibroblasts at the protein level (Western blot and immunofluorescence). We demonstrated that TGF-beta1 induces the myofibroblast-like phenotype in the studied fibroblast signaling via canonical (SMAD) and non-canonical (AKT, ERK1/2, ROCK) pathways. Genistein induced only ERK1/2 expression, whereas the combination of TGF-beta1 and genistein attenuated the ERK1/2 and ROCK signaling. Of note, the other studied pathways remained almost unaffected. From this point of view, genistein does not impair conversion of normal fibroblasts to myofibroblast-like cells.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Genistein / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Phytoestrogens / pharmacology*
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phytoestrogens
  • TGFB1 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Genistein