NIH3T3 cell proliferation and cell cycle in the conditions of hypoxia or low nutrition and its response to bFGF

AIM: To investigate NIH3T3 cell proliferation and cell cycle in the condition of hypoxia or low nutrition and its response to bFGF, and to explore the pathophysiological changes of fibroblast under hypoxic or low nutrional conditions.METHODS: The cells were placed in anaerobic workstation where the mixture gas was given to simulate hypoxic environment. Partial oxygen pressure (PO2) of medium was controlled in 27 mmHg, 44 mmHg and 175mmHg. NIH3T3 cells were cultured with low nutritional medium contained new bovine serum (NCS) less than 10% to simulate low nutritional environment. MTT assay was used for observing cell activity and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis.RESULTS: Under 44 mmHg PO2, no obvious difference was shown between hypoxia group and normal group. Under 27 mmHg PO2, the proliferation activity of NIH3T3 cells was significantly lower than that in normal group (P<0.01), as well as the cell numbers in G0-G1 phase increased (P<0.05), S phase decreased (P<0.01). bFGF had no effect on cell proliferation. In 0.5% NCS medium, the NIH3T3 cell proliferation speed decreased (P<0.01) and cell cycle was arrested at G0-G1 (P<0.01). The proliferation speed was improved by bFGF (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: In lower PO2 or lower nutrinal condition, fibroblast proliferation activity is inhibited by cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. However the decreasing proliferation in low nutritional medium could be improved by external bFGF.