Thrombin is a pro-fibrotic factor for rat renal fibroblasts in vitro

Abstract

Background: Generation of thrombin occurs in response to parenchymal injury. Thrombin not only converts plasma fibrinogen into an insoluble fibrin clot, but also potentially augments inflammation through receptor-mediated activity. This study examines whether thrombin may potentially exacerbate fibrosis by upregulating the function of interstitial fibroblasts in vitro. Methods: Fibroblasts were isolated by explant outgrowth culture of rat kidneys. Subcultured cells were grown in DMEM+10% FCS supplemented with 0.1-0.5 U/ml thrombin. Functional parameters examined included kinetics (thymidine incorporation and change in cell number), differentiation (Western blotting for α-smooth muscle actin;..