Molecular characterization of fibroblasts isolated from human peritoneum and adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the response of adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts to hypoxia.
DESIGN: Prospective experimental study.
SETTING: University medical center. PATIENT(S): Primary cultures of fibroblasts established from the peritoneal and adhesion tissues of the same patients (n = 2) to minimize genetic variations. INTERVENTION(S): Hypoxia treatment of the primary cultured fibroblast. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Analyze the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, growth factors, and cytokines in adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts under normal and hypoxic conditions by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULT(S): Compared to peritoneal fibroblasts, adhesion fibroblasts had a significant increase in the basal mRNA levels for collagen I, fibronectin, MMP-1, TIMP-1, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and IL-10. Hypoxia resulted in a further increase in collagen 1, fibronectin, TIMP-1, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma mRNA levels in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. The increase was more profound in adhesion fibroblasts. CONCLUSION(S): Hypoxia induces molecular changes in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts, creating a milieu that favors adhesion development. The effect of hypoxia was more profound on adhesion fibroblasts.