Influence of transforming growth factor-β1 on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in cultured neonatal rat astrocytes

Aim:To investigate the influence of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cultured neonatal rat astrocytes.Methods:Astrocytes from neonatal rats cultured in vitro were allocated into 2 groups.Control group:cultured with free serum medium (FSM); TGF-β1 treatment groups:cultured with FSM containing different concentrations of TGF-β1 (1 μg /L,2 μg /L,4 μg /L).After being cultivated for 24 hours,the mRNA and protein expression of CTGF was examined by RT-PCR and Western-Blot.Results:Control group: both CTGF mRNA and protein were negative.TGF-β1 treatment groups:both CTGF mRNA and protein expressions were positive,and their expression levels tended to rise with the increase of the concentration of TGF-β1.Conclusion: TGF-β1 can up-regulate CTGF expression in astrocytes.