Human amniotic epithelial cells attenuate TGF-β1-induced human dermal fibroblast transformation to myofibroblasts via TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway

This study demonstrates that human amniotic epithelial cells conditioned medium could down-regulate the expression of fibrosis-related molecules by regulating MMP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase levels, and suppress TGF-β1-induced fibroblast transition, in which the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway is likely involved. These findings suggest that human amniotic epithelial cells are a potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of keloids.