Differential Gene Expression of Fibroblasts: Keloid versus Normal

Abstract: This study investigated gene regulation and unique gene products in both keloid (KDF) and normal (NDF) dermal fibroblasts in established cell lines. For gene regulation, NDF versus KDF were compared using Clontech's Atlas™ Human cDNA Expression Array while unique gene products were studied using RNA Fingerprinting Kit. RNA from each sample was converted to cDNA using oligo-dT primers. Down-regulated genes using Atlas Array in KDF were 1) 60 S ribosomal protein, 2) Thioredoxin dependent peroxidase, 3) Nuclease sensitive element DNA binding protein, 4) c-myc purine-binding transcription factor, 5) c-AMP dependent protein kinase, and, 6) Heat Shock Protein 90 kDa. Genes that are up regulated in KDF were 1) Tubulin and 2) Heat Shock Protein 27 kDa. With the differential display, we found 17 bands unique to both KDF and NDF. The specific gene and the manner in which they were differentially regulated have direct implications to understanding keloid fibroblast proliferation.