The Effect of 595 nm Pulsed Dye Laser on Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) Expression in Cultured Keloid Fibroblasts

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pulsed dye laser (PDL 595nm) on the proliferation and expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cultured keloid fibroblasts. Materials and MethodsCultured keloid fibroblasts were exposed to pulsed dye laser irradiation at fluences of 6, 8, and 10J/cm(2), with pulse durations of 1.5, 3, and 10ms. The viability of keloid fibroblasts was measured with CCK-8 at 72, 24, and 12 hours prior to irradiation. Subsequently, viability was measured at 12, 24, and 72 hours post-irradiation. Additionally, the fibroblast cell cycle and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry. Finally, keloid fibroblasts underwent real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot to investigate the CTGF mRNA and protein expression after PDL irradiation. The untreated cultured keloid fibroblasts served as controls. ResultsThe proliferation of keloid fibroblasts was significantly inhibited after PDL irradiation. Both CTGF mRNA and protein expression were significantly down-regulated in 1.5, 3, and 10ms pulse duration groups, in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups of different pulse duration in 6, 8, and 10J/cm(2) fluence ranges (P>0.05). ConclusionsWithin certain fluence ranges, pulsed dye laser can effectively suppress the growth of keloids and significantly down-regulate CTGF mRNA and CTGF expression. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:203-209, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.