Characterization of Fibroblasts for Application in FGFR1OP2/wit3.0 High Throughput Screening

Objectives: In a skin wound, inflammation associated cytokines and growth factors induce fibroblasts to undergo transdifferentiation allowing them to contract the wound. Interestingly, though wounds in the oral cavity heal with a lesser degree of inflammation, they contract at a faster pace and exhibit reduced scarring compared to the skin. FGFR1OP2/wit3.0 is a small cytoplasmic peptide highly expressed by oral wound fibroblasts, but not by skin wound fibroblasts. In this study we aim to determine the exogenous factors possibly inducing FGFR1OP2/wit3.0 expression in skin fibroblasts. Methods: This study examined the use of high throughput screening of defined chemical agents that upregulate or downregulate FGFR1OP2/wit3.0 expression. We selected mouse clonal fibroblastic cell lines L-929 and C3H/10T1/2 for developing a suitable high throughput-screening model. Genetic expression, phenotype, growth curves, and migration speed were examined. Results: Our results show the co-localization wit3.0 as a cytoskeleton molecule in both cells types, and significantly differing levels of wit3.0, a-SMA and Col1. To achieve the critical z-score, cell line C3H/10T1/2 was indicated for screening. Conclusion: With this information in mind, we have laid out a plan for the screening stage of our study, which focuses on the effect produced by FDA Approved chemicals in either a genetic expression or active migration high throughput assay. This study was funded by the UCLA Academic Senate and School of Dentistry.