Sonodynamic Therapy Inhibits Fibrogenesis in Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts Induced by TGF-β1

Background/aims: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a localized ultrasound-activated therapy for atherosclerosis when combined with a sonosensitizer, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), but whether it can prevent cardiac fibrosis has not been studied. In the present study, we evaluated the effects SDT on fibrogenesis in rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Methods: The primary cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from rats, and induced to fibrogenesis with TGF-β1. With this in vitro model, we tested the preventive effects of SDT on fibrogenesis and further the underlying mechanism.

Results: TGF-β1 stimulation up-regulated α-SMA and COLI/III protein levels in cardiac fibroblasts, and enhanced the progression of cells from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase. SDT inhibited the TGF-β1 mediated cell proliferation and decreased the levels of α-SMA and COLI/III by activating Akt/GSK3β pathway and blocking TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling.

Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate an antifibrotic effect of SDT in rat cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting that SDT may intervene cardiac fibrogenesis by regulating myocardial fibrotic remodeling.