Involvement of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase signaling inhibition in TGF-β1/Smad2, 3 signal transduction

To research the effect of Y-27632, a selective Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on TGF-β1/Smad2, 3 signal transduction in ocular Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (OTFs). Primary ocular Tenon's capsule fibroblasts had been cultured Y-27632 significantly inhibited OTFs proliferation stimulated by LPA. Also Y-27632 significantly suppressed the expressions of Smad2 mRNA, Smad2, 3 proteins expressions, Smad3 phosphorylation at the carboxylic terminals of Ser423/425/203 which had been radically promoted by TGF-β1. SiRNA-Smad2, 3 suppressed α-SMA expressions, but less effectively than Y-27632. The inhibition of ROCK signaling may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of the filtration channel fibrosis.