Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of mitomycin C (MMC) on proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts derived from keloid. METHODS: Using the cultured fibroblasts derived from keloid subjected to MMC, the proliferation of fibroblasts was detected by MTT.The flow cytometry, microscope and electron microscope were used for evaluation of cell cycles, apoptosis and modality.The expression of cyclin D1 and caspase-3 was detected by RT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: MMC inhibited proliferation of fibroblasts in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.MMC changed cell cycles and caused apoptosis in a dose-depended manner and increased the percentage of G₀/G₁ phase cells in fibroblasts.MMC decreased the expression of cyclin D1 and enhanced the expression of caspase-3. CONCLUSION: Changing the expression of cyclin D1 and caspase-3, MMC may play a critical role in suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of fibroblasts to prevention and cure keloid.

Key words: keloid, mitomycin C, cell cycle, apoptosis, cyclin D1, caspase-3