A novel regulatory function for miR‐29a in keloid fibrogenesis

Summary Background A growing body of evidence has shown that microRNA‐29 (miR‐29) plays a central role in the progression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of miR‐29 in keloid fibrogenesis remain unknown. Aim To investigate the roles of miR‐29 in dermal fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of keloids. Methods Primary fibroblasts from 9 patients with keloid and 6 healthy controls (HCs) were cultured and pretreated with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1. Next, fibroblasts were transfected with precursor miRNA and anti‐miR‐29a miRNA. TGF‐β1‐associated miR‐29 alterations were investigated by quantitative real‐time PCR. Collagen I and collagen III protein levels were analysed by western blotting. Results miR‐29a, miR‐29b and miR‐29c levels were significantly lower in keloid compared with healthy fibroblasts (P