BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore whether 5-aminolaevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) restrains pathological hyperplasia of fibroblasts from hyperplastic scar tissues, and to investigate the potential mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used MTT assay, flow cytometry, and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) to examine the effects of ALA-PDT on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of fibroblasts isolated from hyperplastic scar tissues. The growth-promoting effect of fibroblasts on vascular endothelial cells was measured by cell co-culture. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), α-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), Collagen I, Collagen III, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

RESULTS: ALA-PDT inhibited proliferation delayed cell cycle progress, promoted apoptosis of fibroblasts, and suppressed its growth-promoting effect on vascular endothelial cells, and decreased expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, Collagen I, Collagen III, VEGFA, and bFGF.

CONCLUSIONS: ALA-PDT effectively restrained pathological hyperplasia of fibroblasts from hyperplastic scar tissues, which may provide a research basis for clinical therapy of hyperplastic scars.

Keywords: Aminolevulinic Acid - pharmacology, Cell Differentiation - drug effects, Cicatrix - pathology, Collagen - metabolism, Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - metabolism, Hyperplasia - drug therapy, Photochemotherapy - methods, young adult