Inhibitory effect of ATP on proliferative signaling in immortalized human fibroblasts

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effects of ATP on proliferation signaling in immortalized human fibroblasts. METHODS: Immortalized human fibroblasts were treated with ATP, ATP conbined with calcium or potassium channel antagonists, respectively. The intracelluar-free calcium (Ca²⁺]i), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate(IP₃) levels and cell viability were detected at different time points. RESULTS: ATP significantly increased the Ca²⁺]i and decreased the IP₃ level in immortalized human fibroblasts, especially at initial stage (P＜0.01) . Compared to ATP alone, the proliferation rates remarkably increased when calcium or potassium channel antagonists were used (P＜0.01, respectively) with ATP. CONCLUSION: The calcium and potassium channels and IP₃ involved in the inhibitory effects of ATP on the proliferative signaling in immortalized human fibroblasts.