Effect of recombinant interleukin-13 on 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro

AIM: To investigate the influence and mechanism of recombinant interleukin-13 (rIL-13) on fibroblasts. METHODS: 3T3 fibroblasts were divided into two groups: the treated group was treated with rIL-13 (80 μg/L, 24 h or 48 h) and the control was without rIL-13 treatment. Transmission electron microscope and Hoechst kit were used to observe morphology of 3T3 fibroblasts in both groups. The activity of proliferation in both groups was investigated and compared by MTT means. Western blot was used to analyze the level of collagen type I induced by rIL-13 in fibroblasts. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the culture supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The more ribosomes and mitochondrions, as well as bigger nuclei were found in the treated group. The production of IL-6 and IL-8, and proliferation ratio of fibroblasts treated with rIL-13 for 24 h or 48 h were increased obviously, compared with the control (P<0.01). The expression of collagen type I protein in treated groups was also significantly higher than that in control (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: rIL-13 upregulates the proliferation of fibroblasts. rIL-13 also has an effect on the production of proinflammatory factors and collagen type I. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-13 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.