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Query: UMLS:C0239946 (liver fibrosis)
 8,268 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In studies of the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently gained attention. In the present study, we established a new collagenase perfusion method through thoracic aorta cannulation to isolate PSCs, and we studied gene expression of TGF-beta1, type I collagen, and connective tissue growth factor using primary cultured PSCs. Our method facilitated PSC isolation, and by our new method, 4.3 +/- 1.2 x 10(6) PSCs were obtained from a rat. In comparing the expression of these genes with that of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we observed a similar pattern, although PSCs expressed type I collagen gene earlier than did HSCs. These results suggest that PSCs may play an important role in fibrosis of the pancreas, as HSCs do in liver fibrosis; in addition, PSCs may exist in a preactivated state or may be more easily activated than are HSCs. We also isolated the PSCs from a WBN/Kob rat, the spontaneous pancreatitis rat, and compared the gene expression with that from a normal rat.
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PMID:Establishment of a novel collagenase perfusion method to isolate rat pancreatic stellate cells and investigation of their gene expression of TGF-beta1, type I collagen, and CTGF in primary culture or freshly isolated cells. 1219 27

Transplanted hepatocytes are ideal carriers for exogenous genes in liver gene therapy. The present study investigated the anti-fibrogenic effects of intrasplenically transplanted hepatocytes modified with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) gene on cirrhotic rats. Hepatocytes isolated from normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were transfected with an adenoviral vector encoding human IFN-gamma gene (AdCMVhIFN-gamma) and transplanted into the spleens of syngenic recipients with ongoing liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Histology was assessed, and liver hydroxyproline was detected. Additionally, serum procollagen type III (PIIINP) levels and hepatic collagenase activity were measured to determine hepatic collagen synthesis and degradation. Transplantation with AdCMVhIFN-gamma transfected hepatocytes ameliorated the histological outcome of liver fibrosis by reducing liver collagen content and decreasing hepatic hydroxyproline. Additionally, IFN-gamma transfected hepatocytes reduced serum PIIINP levels and increased hepatic collagenase activity. Our data suggest that transplantation of IFN-gamma transfected hepatocytes may reduce the pace of liver fibrosis by inhibiting the synthesis and enhancing the degradation of hepatic collagen.
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PMID:Intrasplenic transplantation of syngenic hepatocytes modified by IFN-gamma gene ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats. 1238 79

Collagen-I, which predominates in the neomatrix of fibrotic liver, regulates hepatocyte and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) phenotypes. Recovery from liver fibrosis is accompanied by hepatocyte regeneration, matrix degradation, and HSC apoptosis. Using mice bearing a mutated collagen-I gene (r/r mice), which confers resistance to collagenase degradation, we have investigated the hypothesis that collagen-I degradation is critical to HSC apoptosis and hepatocyte regeneration during recovery from liver fibrosis. During a 28-day recovery period after 8 wk of CCl4 treatment, wild-type (WT) livers had significantly (43%) decreased hydroxyproline (OHP) content. In r/r livers, however, OHP content remained elevated at peak fibrosis levels. Expressed markers of activated HSC (alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen-I), elevated at peak fibrosis, dropped to control levels in WT livers after 28 days but remained raised in the r/r livers. Moreover, relative to WT livers, r/r livers had significantly reduced stellate cell apoptosis and hepatocyte regeneration during the recovery period. Using extracted collagen-I from each genotype as culture substrata, relative to r/r, we show that WT collagen-I promotes hepatocyte proliferation via stimulation of integrin alpha(v)beta3. Failure to degrade collagen-I critically impairs HSC apoptosis and may prevent the effective restoration of hepatocyte mass in liver fibrosis.
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PMID:Mutation in collagen-1 that confers resistance to the action of collagenase results in failure of recovery from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, persistence of activated hepatic stellate cells, and diminished hepatocyte regeneration. 1247 3

Hepatic fibrosis is a common feature of many chronic liver diseases. Given the ethical considerations of studies with humans and the limited availability of liver biopsies, there is a need for in vitro models to understand the molecular events involved in hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this work was to compare the behavior of two hepatic cell types involved in fibrogenesis: a liver stellate cell line (CFSC-2G) and primary hepatocytes, both in single and mixed cultures. Cell proliferation was measured as DNA synthesis, protein content, and cell cycle study; functionality as adenylate charge, metabolic rate, and albumin content; and extracellular matrix production as type I collagen content, total collagen synthesis/degradation, metalloproteinase-13 content, and interstitial collagenase activity. Protein content and DNA synthesis were higher in CFSC-2G than in cocultures. Adenylate charge, metabolic rate, and albumin content were impaired in cocultures. Type I collagen content and total collagen synthesis were similar in CFSC-2G and cocultures. Metalloproteinase-13 content was higher in CFSC-2G and cocultures compared with hepatocytes, whereas collagenase activity was only detectable in cocultures. These results suggest that the presence of hepatocytes in the cocultures affects negatively the cell proliferation, functionality, and extracellular matrix production. Cocultures of activated CFSC-2G and healthy hepatocytes are a useful model to study fibrogenesis in vitro since various functional alterations found in this pathology are reproduced.
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PMID:Proliferation, functionality, and extracellular matrix production of hepatocytes and a liver stellate cell line: a comparison between single cultures and cocultures. 1287 Aug 5

Hepatic fibrosis results from excess extracellular matrix produced primarily by hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In response to injury, HSC differentiate to a myofibroblastic phenotype expressing smooth muscle actin and fibrillar collagens. Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone shown to have antifibrotic effects in fibrosis models. In this study, activated HSC from rat liver were treated with relaxin to determine if relaxin can reverse markers of HSC activation. Relaxin treatment resulted in a decrease in the expression of smooth muscle actin, but had no effect on cell proliferation rate. The levels of total collagen and type I collagen were reduced, while the synthesis of new collagen was inhibited. Furthermore, relaxin caused an increase in the expression and secretion of rodent interstitial collagenase (MMP-13), but there was no effect on the gelatinases MMP-2 or MMP-9. Relaxin also increased secretion of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. The effective concentration of relaxin to induce these effects was consistent with action through the relaxin receptor. In conclusion, relaxin reversed markers of the activated phenotype of HSC including the production of fibrillar collagen. At the same time, the activity of a fibrillar collagenase was increased. These data suggest that relaxin not only inhibits HSC properties that contribute to the progression of hepatic fibrosis, but also promotes the clearance of fibrillar collagen. Therefore, relaxin may be a useful approach in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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PMID:Inhibition of markers of hepatic stellate cell activation by the hormone relaxin. 1294 68

Liver cirrhosis is caused by a relative imbalance between synthesis and degradation of collagens. Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide is a major adhesive domain of several extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as that involved in the binding of fibronectin to the alpha5beta1 integrin receptor. We previously reported that RGD peptide increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which play a major role in hepatic fibrosis. We evaluated whether RGD-peptides inhibit the progression of liver fibrosis in an animal model of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. RGD peptide (GRGDS) (1 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 3 times a week for one month. The group treated with control peptide (GRGES) showed pathologically typical hepatic fibrosis, while the RGD-treated group showed minimal fibrotic changes. The liver contents of collagen and hydroxyproline in the RGD-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Collagenase activity measured in liver homogenates was significantly higher in the treated group than in the control group. In an in vitro study using TWNT-4 cells derived from human HSCs, RGD peptide (100 mug/ml) reduced the expression of type I collagen and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, and increased that of matrix metalloproteinase-1. These results indicated that RGD peptides inhibited liver fibrosis associated with both decreased collagen production and increased collagenase acitivity, and suggested that RGD peptide might be useful for the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.
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PMID:Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis via inhibition of collagen production and acceleration of collagenase activity. 1554 72

Kupffer cells may be involved in liver fibrogenesis through production of TGF-beta1. Their role in fibrinolysis is less clear. Octreotide, a synthetic analogue of somatostatin, is often used in cirrhotic patients. Its effect on Kupffer cells was studied. Isolated rat Kupffer cells were cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide and/or octreotide. TGF-beta1, leptin, collagenase (MMP-1), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) were assessed in supernatants by ELISA, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 by zymography. Kupffer cells produced large amounts of MMP-1 and lipopolysaccharide induced a significant (P < 0.02) early increase. Octreotide and lipopolysaccharide caused a synergistic effect on MMP-1 secretion. By contrast, MMP-9 production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide was suppressed by octreotide. Kupffer cells produced a basal amount of uPA, significantly increased after lipopolysaccharide or octreotide incubation (P < 0.001). Large amounts of TGF-beta1 were produced in a time-dependent manner by unstimulated Kupffer cells. Lipopolysaccharide and octreotide, alone or in combination, induced a significant inhibition of this production (P < 0.01). Kupffer cells did not produce leptin, a recently identified mediator of liver fibrosis, or MMP-2. Kupffer cells may play a significant role in liver fibrinolysis. Octreotide, acting on TGF-beta1, uPA, and MMP-1 production, may be a useful agent for fibrosis resolution.
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PMID:Production of pro- and anti-fibrotic agents by rat Kupffer cells; the effect of octreotide. 1590 72

Catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin (EGC) are polyphenol components of green tea. EGCG is the major component and has been reported to possess a wide range of biological properties including anti-fibrogenic activity. In hepatic fibrosis, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a central role. In this study, we investigated the effect of catechins, including EGCG, on collagen production and collagenase activity in rat primary HSCs and activated human HSC-derived TWNT-4 cells. EGCG (50 microM) suppressed type I collagen production in rat HSCs more than ECG (50 microM) did; however, EGC (50 microM) did not show suppressive effects. EGCG also inhibited both collagen production and collagenase activity (active matrix metalloproteinase-1 [MMP-1]) in a dose-dependent manner, but did not affect the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) production in TWNT-4 cells. Real-time PCR unexpectedly revealed that EGCG enhanced the transcription of type I collagen and TIMP-1, but did not affect the transcription of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and reduced the transcription MMP-1 in TWNT-4 cells. These findings demonstrated that EGCG inhibited collagen production regardless of enhanced collagen transcription and suppressed collagenase activity, and suggested that EGCG might have therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.
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PMID:Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a polyphenol component of green tea, suppresses both collagen production and collagenase activity in hepatic stellate cells. 1614 4

The aim was to investigate the suppressive effect of bicyclol on hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in mice and the mechanism of its action. Hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of 8 mg kg(-1) day(-1) on three consecutive days of each week for 4 or 5 weeks. In the prophylactic experiment, bicyclol (100 and 200mg.kg(-1)) was administered by gavage in association with DMN injection. For the therapeutic experiment, mice were firstly injected with DMN for 5 weeks as in the prophylactic experiment, and then the mice in drug groups were orally administered bicyclol (100 and 200mg.kg(-1)) once daily for 5 weeks. As a result, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, hydroxyproline (Hyp), prolidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta(1)), type I collagen in serum and the score of liver fibrosis all significantly increased in the hepatic fibrosis model group in comparison with those in control group. The treatment with bicyclol markedly reduced all the above criteria. Bicyclol also attenuated the decrease of body weight of mice, serum total protein and albumin. In addition, bicyclol treatment inhibited liver TGFbeta(1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) mRNA expression in the prophylactic experiment. Similarly, bicyclol reduced TIMP-1 levels in liver and serum and increased collagenase activity in the liver in the therapeutic experiment. The result suggest that bicyclol attenuates DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Its mechanisms of action may be related to the hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation properties, the down-regulation of liver TGFbeta(1) and TIMP-1 expression and the increase of net collagenase activity in liver.
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PMID:Effects of bicyclol on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in mice and its mechanism of action. 1660

Myofibroblastic-activated hepatic stellate cells are the major source of the collagen I-rich extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis but also produce matrix metalloproteinases, which remodel this protein. We have investigated the role of collagen I proteolysis in both regulating proliferation and maintaining the activated myofibroblastic phenotype of stellate cells in vitro. Compared with stellate cells plated on normal collagen I, those plated on a collagenase-resistant form of collagen I (r/r collagen) had reduced thymidine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression but increased p21 expression. Collagen I was shown to be rendered resistant to matrix metalloproteinases by artificial cross-linking in vitro using tissue transglutaminase exerted similar antiproliferative effects on stellate cells to r/r collagen. Of the stellate cell activation markers examined (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, alpha-smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and procollagen I) only the last was decreased by culture on r/r collagen relative to normal collagen I. Antagonists of integrin alphavbeta3, an integrin reported to stimulate stellate cell proliferation, significantly inhibited adhesion, proliferation, and procollagen I synthesis of stellate cells plated on normal collagen I but had reduced effectiveness on these parameters in cells on r/r collagen. We conclude that proliferation of stellate cells is promoted by pericellular collagen I proteolysis acting via alphavbeta3 integrin. Cross-linking of collagen I by tissue transglutaminase, a process known to occur in chronic liver fibrosis, might not only increase its resistance to matrix metalloproteinases thereby inhibiting resolution of fibrosis but also functions to constrain the fibroproliferative process.
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PMID:Impaired proteolysis of collagen I inhibits proliferation of hepatic stellate cells: implications for regulation of liver fibrosis. 1706 Mar 19


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