Effects of tripterine on viability and apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts by regulating GINS2

AIM To explore the effects of tripterine on the viability and apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts （KFB） and its molecular mechanism. METHODS The KFB were treated with tripterine at low, medium and high doses. The cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RT-qPCR and Western blot were applied to determine the expression of GINS complex subunit 2 （GINS2）. The KFB were divided into si-NC group, si-GINS2 group, Exp+pcDNA group and Exp+pcDNA-GINS2 group, and the changes of cell viability and apoptosis were measured using the above methods. RESULTS After treatment with tripterine, the viability of KFB was decreased, the apoptotic rate was increased, and GINS2 expression was decreased in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05）. After knockdown of GINS2, the viability of KFB was decreased, and the apoptotic rate was increased （P<0.05）. Over-expression of GINS2 partially reversed the effect of tripterine on the viability and apoptosis of KFB （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Tripterine inhibits KFB viability and promotes the apoptosis by down-regulating GINS2.