Michelle Bretl, M.S., CCC-SLP
Predoctoral Trainee, Voice Research Training Program
Thibeault Laboratory
University of Wisconsin-Madison
RNA-sequencing of Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts: Defining Scar Gene Expression
Vocal fold fibroblasts are key players in the wound healing response and yet, little is known about their normal gene expression compared to diseased expression. While fibroblasts are necessary to facilitate wound closure and normal healing, they can also take on a pathological phenotype that leads to excessive proliferation and fibrosis or scarring. Given the challenge of obtaining fibroblasts from pathological vocal folds, normal fibroblasts treated with a specific growth factor, TGF-β1, is an in vitro model commonly used to represent changes seen in scarred vocal folds. Additionally, RNA sequencing has become a valuable tool for transcriptomic analysis of cell populations to get an idea of global gene expression differences across different treatment groups. This study aimed to define differences in the gene expression between three vocal fold fibroblast groups: scarred fibroblasts, healthy control fibroblasts, and “scar-like,” TGF-β1 treated fibroblasts. Results of this research may help to identify specific gene targets to mitigate the adverse response of vocal fold fibroblasts to injury.
Acknowledgement of Funding:
NIH NIDCD R01DC004336-24
T32 Voice Training Grant T32 DC009401