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The Effect of n‐Acetylcysteine on the Migration of Myofibroblasts
Author(s) -
Nichols Matthew Dillon,
Vaughan Melville B
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1034.11
Subject(s) - myofibroblast , muscle contracture , acetylcysteine , contracture , chemistry , medicine , pathology , biochemistry , surgery , fibrosis , antioxidant
Dupuytren's contractures are hand deformities that affect more than 200,000 cases in the US per year and are typically cured by invasive procedures that remove the nodules that form on the affected hand. Our goal is to study chemical inhibition of myofibroblasts, cells associated with Dupuytren's contracture, to provide insight for a noninvasive treatment of Dupuytren's contractures. Myofibroblasts use migration as part of their pathologic activities. This study examined the migration of myofibroblasts, using varying amounts of the amino acid n‐acetylcysteine (NAC), previously shown to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation. The methods used were an elastomer plug migration assay and this determined the myofibroblast migration. Our results demonstrated NAC increased the speed of migration when used in concentrations of 1–5μM and NAC inhibited the migration when used in concentrations of 10–20μM. In a complex tissue, this biphasic result may have unintended consequences. Our future goal is to study the mechanism of this biphasic migration effect. Support or Funding Information UCO Office of Research and Grants