Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of SB-431542,a small molecule antagonist of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)which
plays a pivotal role in pulmonary fibrogenesis,on extracellular matrix(ECM)production in TGF-β1-treated human lung fibroblasts(HLFs)in vitro.Methods HLF was cultured in routine conditions.The mRNA levels of ECM,including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)type I collagen(Col Iα1),and febronectin(FN) were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respectively.MTT viability assay method was used to assess potential toxicity of SB-431542 to HLFs.Results In TGF-β1-treated HLCs,SB-431542(0.1,0.5,1.0,(10 μmol·L~(-1)))
significantly halted the transcription of PAI-1,Col Iα1 and FN.MTT assay showed LC_(50) values of(52 μmol·L~(-1)).Conclusions As a selective and specific small molecular inbibitor of type I TGF-β receptor,SB-431542 significantly attenuates ECM components accumulation in cultured HLFs under a fibrogenic conditions,and can be used as a possible candidate for anti-lung fibrosis.