The Effects of Tofacitinib-Mediated Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of the Transcription Signal Pathway Inhibition on Collagen Biosynthesis in Hepatic and Skin Fibroblast Cell Culture

Mehtap ŞAHİN1, Hüseyin AYDIN1, Ahmet ALTUN2, Mehmet Emin DERİN3, Ali ŞAHİN3

1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, Sivas, Turkey
2Department of Pharmacology, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, Sivas, Turkey
3Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, Sivas, Turkey

Keywords: Collagen, fibroblast cell culture, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription, tofacitinib

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway inhibition on collagen biosynthesis in fibroblast cell culture by tofacitinib.

Materials and methods: BJ-CRL-1474® (skin) and BRL3A® (hepatic) fibroblast cell cultures were proliferated in a suitable medium. Tofacitinib was administered to fibroblast cells proliferating in 96-well flasks at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 nM. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and hydroxyproline levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results: Tofacitinib showed cytotoxic effect on skin and liver cell culture. The cytotoxic effect of tofacitinib started at 100 nM (p<0.05). The highest effect was obtained at 800 nM. The time-dependent cytotoxic effect of tofacitinib was significantly higher at all concentrations after 72 hours than at 24 and 48 hours (p<0.05). The level of TGF-β1 was significantly lower even at a tofacitinib concentration of 25 nM (p<0.05). There were significant decreases in MMP-3, TIMP-1, and hydroxyproline levels after tofacitinib administration (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Tofacitinib inhibited fibroblast cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner in a fibroblast cell culture. However, further extensive animal and human studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of this effect.

Citation: Şahin M, Aydın H, Altun A, Derin ME, Şahin A. The Effects of Tofacitinib-Mediated Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of the Transcription Signal Pathway Inhibition on Collagen Biosynthesis in Hepatic and Skin Fibroblast Cell Culture. Arch Rheumatol 2020;35(3):343-350.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Financial Disclosure

This study was supported by Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Projects (CUBAP) Commission (Project Number: T-714).