Rac inhibition suppresses the pro-fibrotic phenotype of lesional SSc fibroblasts. Gel contraction analysis.

<p>Rac inhibitor 50 µM NSC23766 (24 hour treatment) reduced the ability of lesional SSc fibroblasts to contract a collagen gel matrix: (A) FPCL analysis. The effect of loss of rac inhibition on the ability of fibroblasts to exert contractiles force in a fixed, tethered floating collagen gel lattice was investigated using a Culture Force Monitor. Forces generated by fibroblasts were measured over 24 hours; a representative trace is shown (N = 3). (B) Floating gel analysis. The effect of rac inhibition on ECM contraction over 24 hours generated by fibroblasts embedded in a floating collagen gel matrix was evaluated. Contraction was assessed photographically and by measuring gel weight iameter of contracted gels (n = 6; Average +/− standard deviation is indicated; * = p<0.05, statistically different from control untreated normal fibroblasts, ANOVA). Note that NSC23766 suppressed the enhanced ECM contraction by lesional SSc fibroblasts.