Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Tranilast inhibits the cell growth of normal human keratinocytes in vitro

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Dermatological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tranilast is used clinically as a drug for hypertrophic scars or keloids. Recently, the roles of keratinocytes in the pathogenesis of those conditions have been noted. Therefore, we first examined the effect of tranilast on the cell growth of normal human keratinocytes. A cell growth assay demonstrated that the cell number significantly decreased during 48 h cultures with the addition of tranilast (5–400 μM) compared with a control (tranilast 0) in a dose-dependent manner. Morphologically, cell spreading was decreased and the cell body was elongated with higher concentrations (200–400 μM) of tranilast, and the cell area decreased significantly. The effect was not due to cytotoxicity. The inhibition of cell growth and the changes in cell morphology by the treatment of 100 μM tranilast reversed after the removal of the tranilast. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that F-actin and vinculin expression with tranilast-treated keratinocytes decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner (100–400 μM). In addition, cell cycle examination showed that 400 μM of tranilast caused G0/G1 arrest with the keratinocytes. From these data we concluded that tranilast inhibited the growth of normal human keratinocytes, and one of its mechanisms may involve decreasing cell spreading by inhibition of F-actin fiber and focal contact formation with the cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CEGM:

Complete EpiLife growth medium

CV:

Crystal violet

References

  1. Azuma H, Banno K, Yoshimura T (1976) Pharmacological properties of N-(3′,4′-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (N-5′), a new anti-atopic agent. Br J Pharmacol 58:483–488

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bellemare J, Roberge CJ, Bergeron D et al (2005) Epidermis promotes dermal fibrosis: role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scars. J Pathol 206:1–8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. El Ghalbzouri A, Ponec M (2004) Diffusible factors released by fibroblasts support epidermal morphogenesis and deposition of basement membrane components. Wound Rep Reg 12:359–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Fujii K, Danno K, Ikai K et al (1988) Inhibitory effects of N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (N-5′, tranilast) on the growth of mouse keratinocyte cell line in culture. Acta Dermatol-Kyoto 83:255–259

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fukuyama J, Miyazawa K, Hamano S et al (1996) Inhibitory effects of tranilast on proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis of human vascular smooth muscle cells. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 74:80–84

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Funayama E, Chodon T, Oyama A et al (2003) Keratinocytes promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of the underlying fibroblasts: an important role in the pathogenesis of keloid. J Invest Dermatol 121:1326–1331

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hansen LK, Mooney DJ, Vacanti JP et al (1994) Integrin binding and cell spreading on extracellular matrix act at different points in the cell cycle to promote hepatocyte growth. Mol Biol Cell 5:967–975

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hishikawa K, Nakaki T, Hirahashi J et al (1995) Tranilast inhibits the effects of platelet-derived growth factor on cell proliferation and induction of nitric oxide. Eur J Pharmacol 291:435–438

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Huang S, Chen CS, Ingber DE (1998) Control of cyclin D1, p27Kip1, and cell cycle progression in human capillary endothelial cells by cell shape and cytoskeletal tension. Mol Biol Cell 9:3179–3193

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ikeda M, Ikeda U, Shimada K et al (1997) Tranilast inhibits the growth of rat mesangial cells. Eur J Pharmacol 324:283–287

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Isaji M, Nakajoh M, Naito J (1987) Selective inhibition of collagen accumulation by N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (N-5′) in granulation tissue. Biochem Pharmacol 36:469–474

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Isaji M, Miyata H, Ajisawa Y et al (1997) Tranilast inhibits the proliferation, chemotaxis and tube formation of human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Br J Pharmacol 122:1061–1066

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Isaji M, Kikuchi S, Miyata H et al (2000) Inhibitory effects of tranilast on the proliferation and functions of human pterygium-derived fibroblasts. Cornea 19:364–368

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Koda A, Nagai H, Watanabe S et al (1976) Inhibition of hypersensitivity reactions by a new drug, N-(3′,4′-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (N-5′). J Allergy Clin Immunol 57:396–407

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kusama H, Kikuchi S, Tazawa S et al (1999) Tranilast inhibits the proliferation of human coronary smooth muscle cell through the activation of p21waf1. Atherosclerosis 143:307–313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lim IJ, Phan TT, Song C et al (2001) Investigation of the influence of keloid-derived keratinocytes on fibroblast growth and proliferation in vitro. Plast Reconstr Surg 107:797–808

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Maita E, Sato M, Yamaki K (2004) Effect of tranilast on matrix metalloproteinase-1 secretion from human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. J Periodontol 75:1054–1060

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Miyazawa K, Hamano S, Ujiie A (1996) Antiproliferative and c-myc mRNA suppressive effects of tranilast on newborn human vascular smooth muscle cells in culture. Br J Pharmacol 118:915–922

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Ochiai H, Ochiai Y, Chihara E (2001) Tranilast inhibits TGF-β1 secretion without affecting its mRNA levels in conjunctival cells. Kobe J Med Sci 47:203–209

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Qi W, Chen X, Twigg S et al (2006) Tranilast attenuates connective tissue growth factor-induced extracellular matrix accumulation in renal cells. Kidney Int 69:989–995

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Rescan C, Coutant A, Talarmin H et al (2001) Mechanism in the sequential control of cell morphology and S phase entry by epidermal growth factor involves distinct MEK/ERK activations. Mol Biol Cell 12:725–738

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shigeki S, Murakami T, Yata N et al (1997) Treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars by iontophoretic transdermal delivery of tranilast. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 31:151–158

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Shime H, Kariya M, Orii A et al (2002) Tranilast inhibits the proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro through G1 arrest associated with the induction of p21waf1 and p53. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:5610–5617

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Smola H, Stark HJ, Thiekötter G et al (1998) Dynamics of basement membrane formation by keratinocyte-fibroblast interactions in organotypic skin culture. Exp Cell Res 239:399–410

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Suzawa H, Kikuchi S, Arai N et al (1992) The mechanism involved in the inhibitory action of tranilast on collagen biosynthesis of keloid fibroblasts. Jpn J Pharmacol 60:91–96

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Watanabe S, Matsuda A, Suzuki Y et al (2000) Inhibitory mechanism of tranilast in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation, due to blockade of PDGF-BB-receptors. Br J Pharmacol 130:307–314

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Yasukawa T, Kimura H, Dong J et al (2002) Effect of tranilast on proliferation, collagen gel contraction, and transforming growth factor beta secretion of retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Ophthalmic Res 34:206–212

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Yamada H, Tajima S, Nishikawa T et al (1994) Tranilast, a selective inhibitor of collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts. J Biochem 116:892–897

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zamir E, Geiger B (2001) Components of cell-matrix adhesions. J Cell Sci 114 (Pt20):3577–3579

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Professor Hironobu Katsuyama for his contribution in statistical analysis of the data. We wish to thank Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. for providing the tranilast used in this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Miyoko Kubo

    Present address: Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan

    Miyoko Kubo

  2. Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, 9 Western Section, Lvshun South Street, Lvshunkou District, Dalian, 116044, People’s Republic of China

    Ying Zhao

  3. Department of Sensory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, 288 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0193, Japan

    Takahiko Moriguchi

Authors
  1. Miyoko Kubo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ying Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Takahiko Moriguchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miyoko Kubo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kubo, M., Zhao, Y. & Moriguchi, T. Tranilast inhibits the cell growth of normal human keratinocytes in vitro. Arch Dermatol Res 304, 745–753 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1291-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1291-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation