@article{Li_Yu_Li_Wang_Meng_Mu_2019, title={NANOG improves type I collagen expression in human fetal scleral fibroblasts}, volume={71}, url={https://www.serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/article/view/3187}, abstractNote={<div><p><strong>Paper description:</strong></p><ul><li>Human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) are components of the sclera that are involved in eye growth regulation and myopia formation. Nanog homeobox (NANOG) is a key transcription factor essential for the pluripotent and self-renewing phenotypes of embryonic stem cells.</li><li><em>NANOG </em>overexpression in HFSFs improves type I collagen expression and increases proliferation rates of HFSFs. The increase in the number of HFSFs and type I collagen may delay sclera remodeling.</li><li>Our findings contribute to the development of more effictive theoretical support for myopia treatment.</li></ul><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) are components of the sclera and play important roles in its structure and function. In myopia, scleral remodeling reduces collagen fibers and the sclera begins to thin. NANOG is a key transcription factor essential for pluripotent and self-renewing phenotypes of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. To determine whether <em>NANOG</em> improves human fetal scleral fibroblast quality and the underlying mechanisms in these cells, we established stable <em>NANOG</em>-overexpressing HFSFs. We studied type I collagen (<em>COL1A 1</em>) and Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 (<em>ROCK1</em>) expression in transfected cells. We also investigated <em>POU5F1, SOX2, KLF4, MYC </em>and <em>SALL4 </em>expression in <em>NANOG</em> stably-overexpressed fibroblasts. Our data show that <em>NANOG</em> expression increased proliferation rates in fibroblasts. When compared to controls, expression of <em>COL1A 1</em> in transfected fibroblasts was increased and the expression of <em>ROCK1</em> was decreased. Similarly, the expression of <em>POU5F1</em>, <em>SOX2 </em>and <em>KLF4</em> was downregulated, the expression of <em>MYC</em> was upregulated and there was no significant change in the expression of <em>SALL4</em> in transfected fibroblasts. Our results suggest that in fibroblasts,<em> NANOG</em> regulates <em>ROCK1</em> expression and improves <em>COL1A 1</em> expression to delay scleral remodeling.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS180711048L">https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS180711048L</a></p><p class="Default"><strong>Received:</strong> July 11, 2018; <strong>Revised:</strong> September 15, 2018; <strong>Accepted:</strong> October 11, 2018; <strong>Published online:</strong> October 23, 2018</p><p align="left"><strong>How to cite this article:</strong> Li X, Yu T, Li M, Wang Y, Meng B, Mu Y. <em>NANOG</em> improves type I collagen expression in human fetal scleral fibroblasts. Arch Biol Sci. 2019;71(1):63-70.</p></div>}, number={1}, journal={Archives of Biological Sciences}, author={Li, Xuyan and Yu, Tianfei and Li, Ming and Wang, Youqi and Meng, Bo and Mu, Yanshuang}, year={2019}, month={Apr.}, pages={63–70} }