Effects of steroid hormones on human fibroblasts in vitro. I. Glucocorticoid action on cell growth and collagen synthesis

Abstract

Human embryonic skin and muscle fibroblasts were grown in vitro and the effects of cortisol and prednisolone on cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and collagen synthesis were studied. Both the steroids stimulated collagen synthesis at concentrations of 0.01-1.0 μg/ml and DAN synthesis at 0.01 μg/ml. Higher concentrations of the steroids caused a marked suppression of DNA synthesis but a smaller reduction in the rate of cell proliferation over a 3 day culture period.