Objective To investigate the effect of aquaporin 3 (AQP⁃3) on apoptosis and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts were used as the normal cell group (cultured in specialized culture medium). Human keloid fibroblasts were divided into keloid cell group (cultured in specialized culture medium) or keloid cell+DFP00173 group (cultured in specialized culture medium containing 0.2 μmol/L AQP⁃3 inhibitor DFP00173). The expression of AQP⁃3 mRNA in the three groups was detected by real⁃time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The protein expressions of AQP⁃3, Collagen I, Collagen Ⅲ, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF⁃β1), and Smad3 were detected by Western blot. Cell apoptosis in the three groups was assessed by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the normal cell group, the mRNA and protein expressions of AQP⁃3 were elevated in the keloid cell group (P<0.05). Compared with the keloid cell group, the mRNA and protein expressions of AQP⁃3 were further elevated in the keloid cell+DFP00173 group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal cell group, the protein expressions of Collagen I, Collagen Ⅲ, and TGF⁃β1 were elevated in the keloid cell group (P<0.05), while the expression of Smad3 protein was also elevated, but not statistically significant different (P>0.05). Compared with the keloid cell group, the protein expressions of Collagen Ⅰ, Collagen Ⅲ, and TGF⁃β1 were decreased in the keloid cell+DFP00173 group (P<0.05), while the expression of Smad3 protein was also decreased, but not statistically significant different (P>0.05). Compared with the normal cell group, the cell apoptosis rate was decreased in the keloid cell group (P<0.05). Compared with the keloid cell group, the cell apoptosis rate was elevated in the keloid cell+DFP00173 group (P<0.05). Conclusion AQP⁃3 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of keloids. Inhibiting the expression of AQP⁃3 can promote apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts and reduce collagen synthesis in keloids. 

无