Abstract: Objective: To determine the effect of miR-384 on the proliferation and apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts (KFBs). Methods: The levels of miR-384 and targeting high temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1) in KFBs and human keloid skin tissue were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The proliferation activity of KFBs was detected by CCK-8. The KFBs apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) were detected by Western Blot. The targeting effect of miR-384 on HTRA1 was detected by double luciferase reporter gene experiment. Results: The expressions of miR-384 in KFBs and human keloid skin tissues showed low levels, while that of HTRA1 showed high level. After transfection with anti-miR-384, the proliferation activity of KFBs was increased, the apoptosis rate was decreased, the expression level of Ki-67, PCNA and Bcl-2 protein was increased, and that of Bax protein was decreased. After transfection with si-HTRA1, the proliferation activity of KFBs was decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the expression of Ki-67, PCNA and Bcl-2 protein was decreased, and the expression of Bax protein was increased. The targeted-regulating of miR-384 on HTRA1 expression was negative. Conclusion: miR-384 can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of the KFBs through targeted regulating of HTRA1.

Key words: miR-384, HTRA1, keloid, cell proliferation, apoptosis