Molecular characterization of fibroblasts isolated from human peritoneum and adhesions

Objective: To determine the response of adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts to hypoxia. Design: Prospective experimental study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Primary cultures of fibroblasts established from the peritoneal and adhesion tissues of the same patients (n = 2) to minimize genetic variations.Intervention(s): Hypoxia treatment of the primary cultured fibroblast. Main Outcome Measure(s): Analyze the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, growth factors, and cytokines in adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts under normal and hypoxic conditions by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction analysis. Result(s): Compared to peritoneal fibroblasts, adhesion fibroblasts had a significant increase in the basal mRNA levels for collagen I, fibronectin, MMP-1, TIMP-1, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and IL-10. Hypoxia resulted in a further increase in collagen 1, fibronectin, TIMP-1, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, IL-10, and IFN-γ mRNA levels in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. The increase was more profound in adhesion fibroblasts. Conclusion(s): Hypoxia induces molecular changes in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts, creating a milieu that favors adhesion development. The effect of hypoxia was more profound on adhesion fibroblasts.