[Conbercept reverses TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells by regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism by which conbercept reverses transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs).

METHODS

Cultured HLEC SRA01/04 cells were treated with TGF-β, conbercept, or both, and the changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were observed using MTT assay, flow cytometry, scratch assay, and Transwell assay. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the changes in the expression of EMT-related epithelial cell markers (E-Cadherin, α-SMA, and Snail), extracellular matrix components, and genes related to the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Conbercept significantly reduced TGF-β-induced EMT of SRA01/04 cells, decreased the expression levels of mesenchymal and extracellular matrix markers α-SMA, Snail, collagen I, collagen IV, and FN1, and upregulated the protein and mRNA expressions of E-cadherin ( <0.05). Transwell assay showed significantly lower cell migration ability in TGF-β+conbercept group than in TGF-β group ( <0.05). Conbercept also inhibited the increase in Smad2/3 phosphorylation levels in HLEC-SRA01/04 cells with TGF-β-induced EMT ( <0.01).

CONCLUSION

Conbercept inhibits TGF-β induced EMT by downregulating the expression of pSmad2/3 in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, indicating a potential therapeutic strategy against visual loss induced by posterior capsule opacification.