Effect of interferon-β on the expression of cytoskeleton and cellular elasticity associated protein in astrocytes

Objective: To investigate the effect of interferon β (IFN-β) on the cytoskeleton, cellular elasticity and the expressions of cytoskeleton and cellular elasticity associated protein in cultured astrocytes. Methods: The astrocytes were treated with IFN-β (102 and 103 U/mL) for 24, 48 and 72 h. The shape and elasticity of astrocytes were observed by atomic force microscope. The ultrastructural of astrocytes was observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. The cell viability was measured by MTT method. The expression of cytoskeleton-elasticity associated protein, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), β-actin, cofilin-1, profilin-1, and vimentin were detected by Western Blot. Result: Compared with the control group, the structure of intracellular microfilaments was more obvious, the cell junctions were obviously increased and tighter, the cells elastic modulus was higher and cytoskeletons were obviously increased after treatment with 102 and 103 U/mL IFN-β for 72 h. Treatment with IFN-β (102 and 103 U/mL) for 24, 48 and 72 h did not affect the growth of AS. Compared with the control group, the expressions of cofilin-1, GFAP, profilin-1 and vimentin in AS were significantly increased in treatment with 103 U/mL IFN-β for 48 h and 102 and 103 U/mL IFN-β for 72 h group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: IFN-β increases the flexibility and toughness of AS through up-regulation the expressions of cytoskeleton-elasticity associated protein cofilin-1, GFAP, profilin-1 and vimentin.