Loss of discoidin domain receptor 2 promotes hepatic fibrosis after chronic carbon tetrachloride through altered paracrine interactions between hepatic stellate cells and liver-associated macrophages

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) interact with fibrillar collagen through the discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) in acute hepatic injury, generating increased fibrosis. However, the contribution of DDR2 signaling to chronic liver fibrosis in vivo is unclear, despite its relevance to chronic human liver disease. We administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) to DDR2(+/+) and DDR2(-/-) mice twice weekly, and liver tissues and isolated HSCs were analyzed. In contrast to changes seen in acute injury, after chronic CCl(4) administration, DDR2(-/-) livers had increased collagen deposition, gelatinolytic activity, and HSC density. Increased basal gene expression of osteopontin, transforming growth factor-β1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and IL-10 and reduced basal gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-13, and collagen type I in quiescent DDR2(-/-) HSCs were amplified further after chronic CCl(4). In concordance, DDR2(-/-) HSCs isolated from chronically injured livers had enhanced in vitro migration and proliferation, but less extracellular matrix degradative activity. Macrophages from chronic CCl(4)-treated DDR2(-/-) livers showed stronger chemoattractive activity toward DDR2(-/-) HSCs than DDR2(+/+) macrophages, increased extracellular matrix degradation, and higher cytokine mRNA expression. In conclusion, loss of DDR2 promotes chronic liver fibrosis after CCl(4) injury. The fibrogenic sinusoidal milieu generated in chronic DDR2(-/-) livers recruits more HSCs to injured regions, which enhances fibrosis. Together, these findings suggest that DDR2 normally orchestrates gene programs and paracrine interactions between HSCs and macrophages that together attenuate chronic hepatic fibrosis.     

Reciprocal modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and type I collagen genes in rat hepatic stellate cells

Collagen degradation by matrix metalloproteinases is the limiting step in reversing liver fibrosis. Although collagen production in cirrhotic livers is increased, the expression and/or activity of matrix metalloproteinases could be normal, increased in early fibrosis, or decreased during advanced liver cirrhosis. Hepatic stellate cells are the main producers of collagens and matrix metalloproteinases in the liver. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether they simultaneously produce alpha1(I) collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNAs. In this communication we show that expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNA is reciprocally modulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1. When hepatic stellate cells are co-cultured with hepatocytes, matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNA is up-regulated and alpha1(I) collagen is down-regulated. Injuring hepatocytes with galactosamine further increased matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNA production. Confocal microscopy and differential centrifugation of co-cultured cells revealed that matrix metalloproteinase-13 is localized mainly within hepatic stellate cells. Studies performed with various hepatic stellate cell lines revealed that they are heterogeneous regarding expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13. Those with myofibroblastic phenotypes produce more type I collagen whereas those resembling freshly isolated hepatic stellate cells express matrix metalloproteinase-13. Overall, these findings strongly support the notion that alpha1(I) collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNAs are reciprocally modulated.     

Oxidative stress effect on the activation of hepatic stellate cells

Collagen is the most excessive extracellular matrix protein in hepatic fibrosis. Activated, but not quiescent, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have a high level of collagen and a smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) expression. HSCs play a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. We analyzed a mechanism leading to HSC activation by evaluating the role of oxidative stress and the expression of NFkB. In vitro study HSCs were proliferated (PCNA:2% vs 68%) and activated (alpha SMA: 5% vs 78%) by ascorbate/FeSO4, and HSCs activated by type I collagen were blocked (PCNA: 97% vs 4%, a SMA: 86% vs 9%) by a-tocopherol. In vivo study means of a SMA positive cells in liver at 400 x HPF were 48.3+/-5.2 and 15.2+/-1.8 and [3H]thymidine uptake of HSC was 529.2+/-284.8 cpm and 223.0+/-86.3 cpm in control and a-tocopherol treated group respectively at 32 hours after CCl4 injection. Nuclear extracts from activated, but not from quiescent, HSCs formed a complex with the NFkB cognate oligonucleotidesand alpha-tocopherol inhibited this bindings. This study indicates that oxidative stress plays an essential role through the induction of NFkB on HSC activation.     

肝再生过程中肝星状细胞及基质金属蛋白酶的动态变化

目的研究大鼠肝大部切除(PH)后再生过程中肝星状细胞(HSCs)的动态变化及肝MMP-2、MMP-9的活性变化,探讨肝星状细胞在肝再生中的作用。方法按Higgins等方法制备肝大部切除动物模型,于术后恢复不同时程取材,免疫组织化学法检测肝HSCs的动态变化,明胶酶谱电泳法检测肝中MMP-2、MMP-9的变化。结果(1)正常肝小叶内HSCs呈网架状分布,PH后Desmin阳性HSCs的数量递减;胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)阳性HSCs的数量也呈递减趋势。(2)PH后再生过程中,肝脏MMP-2、MMP-9的表达逐渐增多。结论肝再生过程中HSCs的增殖反应较慢且维持的时间短,这不同于肝纤维化等肝病过程中HSCs维持较长时间的激活状态。肝再生过程中基质金属蛋白酶-2,-9的表达发生显著改变,提示基质金属蛋白酶-2,-9参与了肝再生过程。     

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides alter hepatic killing of Candida albicans in the isolated perfused mouse liver model.

The isolated perfused mouse liver model was used to study the effect of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptides on hepatic trapping and killing of Candida albicans. After extensive washing, 10(6) C. albicans CFU were infused into mouse livers. At the time of recovery, 63% +/- 2% (mean +/- standard error of the mean) of the infused C. albicans CFU were recovered from the liver and 14% +/- 1% were recovered from the effluent for a total recovery of 77% +/- 2%. This indicates that 86% +/- 9% of the original inoculum was trapped by the liver and that 23% +/- 2% was killed within the liver. Prior to their infusion into livers, 10(7) CFU of C. albicans were incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min in the presence of various RGD peptides (0.1 mg/ml). Repeatedly, more than 90% of the infused RGD-treated C. albicans was trapped by the perfused liver. In comparison with the 23% killing rate observed in control livers, perfused livers killed approximately 40 to 50% of the infused C. albicans treated either with fibronectin, PepTite 2000, RGD, or RGDS. Hepatic killing of C. albicans treated with PepTite 2000 or fibronectin was dose dependent. Treatment of C. albicans with GRGDTP, GRGDSP, GRADSP, or GRGESP did not alter the ability of the perfused liver to kill C. albicans, suggesting that a degree of specificity for RGD peptides is associated with an increased ability of liver to kill RGD-treated C. albicans. Together, the data suggest that RGD peptides bind to a receptor on the surface of C. albicans, thereby increasing hepatic, and presumably Kupffer cell, killing of C. albicans. Natural or synthetic RGD peptides may serve as opsonins promoting C. albicans killing by Kupffer cells.     

CCl4肝纤维化过程中肝组织金属硫蛋白与肝星状细胞MMP-2表达及活性之间相关性研究

目的： 研究金属硫蛋白（MT）在体内及体外与基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)表达、活性之间的相关性。方法: 昆明种雄性成年小鼠50只,其中实验鼠 40只,对照鼠10只,用CCl4诱导小鼠肝纤维化模型。向肝星状细胞（HSCs）条件培养基（含有MMP-2）中加不同浓度MT,使之与MMP-2酶学共浴,检测MMP-2活性。制作小鼠肝组织芯片,天狼猩红染色判断肝纤维化程度。免疫组化法测肝组织MMP-2、MT蛋白表达,酶图法测鼠肝组织匀浆和培养基中MMP-2活性。结果: ①模型组小鼠肝组织MMP-2和MT蛋白表达水平均随纤维化进展而呈波浪式交替升高,但二者时相变化相反。 ②模型组小鼠肝组织MMP-2活性随实验时间的增加而逐渐升高,亦有波动。除个别时点外,酶活性与MT表达呈负相关。③肝星状细胞条件培养基与不同浓度的MT直接作用后,MMP-2活性随MT浓度增加活性逐渐降低(P＜0.01)。结论: 在小鼠肝纤维化发生发展过程中,肝组织MT蛋白和MMP-2蛋白表达均有上升趋势,二者间可能存在相互作用;MT蛋白和MMP-2活性呈负相关,前者对后者可能起抑制作用。     

苦参与茯苓对肝纤维化的作用及机制的研究

目的研究苦参、茯苓两种中药抗肝纤维化的作用及其机制。方法以生理盐水作为对照,将苦参和茯苓两种中药用于大鼠肝纤维化模型和大鼠肝星状细胞（HSC）。观察肝组织形态变化;检测血透明质酸酶、Ⅳ型胶原含量;MTT法检测HSC细胞增殖抑制率;免疫组化法检测基质金属蛋白酶-1（MMP-1）、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）、转化生长因子（TGF）β1、血小板衍生生长因子（PDGF）的表达。结果与对照组比较,中药处理组的HSC细胞增殖抑制率升高（P〈0.05）;血清透明质酸、Ⅳ型胶原含量减少（P〈0.05）;肝组织TIMP-1、TGFβ1及PDGF的表达均减少（P〈0.05）。结论两种中药均能减缓大鼠肝纤维化的发生,其机制可能与这些中药能下调TGFβ1及PDGF表达、抑制HSC增殖活化、促进细胞外基质降解、减少肝纤维结缔组织沉积有关。     

骨髓间质干细胞培养液上清对肝星状细胞增殖及纤维化的影响

背景：利用骨髓间质干细胞治疗肝纤维化的研究取得了一定的效果,但研究其培养液上清治疗肝纤维化的并不多。 目的：观察大鼠骨髓间质干细胞培养液上清抑制肝星状细胞增殖及活化的可能性。 方法：实验组1,2将骨髓间质干细胞培养液上清加入6孔板内处理肝星状细胞,分别为2 mL培养液上清/孔,1 mL培养液上清+1 mL完全培养基/孔;对照组为肝星状细胞单独培养(2 mL完全培养基/孔)。流式细胞仪分析细胞周期并观察抑制效果,RT-PCR检测肝星状细胞内转化生长因子β、金属蛋白酶抑制因子2、胶原蛋白ⅠmRNA的表达情况。 结果与结论：加入骨髓间质干细胞培养液上清后,实验组1中的肝星状细胞增殖与对照组相比受到抑制,且抑制率随处理时间的延长而增多(处理72 h>处理48 h>处理24 h,P < 0.05); 实验组的肝星状细胞内转化生长因子β、金属蛋白酶抑制因子2、胶原蛋白Ⅰ mRNA的表达较对照组均下调,且下调程度随培养液上清增多而增大(实验组1>实验组2>对照组)。     

Complement 5a stimulates hepatic stellate cells in vitro,and is increased in the plasma of patients with chronic hepatitis B

Complement 5a (C5a) is a critical modulator of liver immunity. In this study, we investigated the role of C5a and its receptor in liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B virus infection. We found that plasma C5a concentration was significantly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B, particularly in those patients with higher grade and stage scores. Further analysis indicated that the increased C5a concentration was positively correlated with clinical parameters reflecting liver fibrosis severity, including type IV collagen and procollagen type III N‐terminal peptide. Our in vitro data indicated that the C5a receptor is highly expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Addition of C5a significantly activated HSCs and up‐regulated α‐smooth muscle actin, hyaluronic acid and type IV collagen expression. Also, addition of C5a could inhibit the spontaneous and soluble tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand‐induced apoptosis of HSCs. These findings highlight the potential role of C5a in the regulation of liver fibrosis.     

The role of hepatic stellate cells and transforming growth factor-beta(1) in cystic fibrosis liver disease

Liver disease causes significant morbidity and mortality from multilobular cirrhosis in patients with cystic fibrosis. Abnormal bile transport and biliary fibrosis implicate abnormal biliary physiology in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease (CFLD), yet the mediators linking biliary events to fibrosis remain unknown. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the pre-eminent mediators of fibrosis in a range of hepatic disorders. The dominant stimulus for matrix production by HSCs is the cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1). In CFLD, the role of HSCs and the source of TGF-beta(1) have not been evaluated. Liver biopsy tissue obtained from 38 children with CFLD was analyzed. Activated HSCs, identified by co-localization of procollagen alpha(1)(I) mRNA and alpha-smooth muscle actin, were demonstrated as the cellular source of excess collagen production in the fibrosis surrounding the bile ducts and the advancing edge of scar tissue. TGF-beta protein and TGF-beta(1) mRNA expression were shown to be predominantly expressed by bile duct epithelial cells. TGF-beta(1) expression was significantly correlated with both hepatic fibrosis and the percentage of portal tracts showing histological abnormalities associated with CFLD. This study demonstrates a definitive role for HSCs in fibrogenesis associated with CFLD and establishes a potential mechanism for the induction of HSC collagen gene expression through the production of TGF-beta(1) by bile duct epithelial cells.     

人脂肪干细胞来源外泌体对四氯化碳诱导肝纤维化模型大鼠的治疗作用

文题释义： 脂肪干细胞：是指从脂肪组织中分离得到的一种间充质干细胞,不但具有跨胚层多向分化潜能,在不同培养条件下可以分化成肌肉、软骨、脂肪组织、神经组织或肝脏组织,而且具备取材方便、来源广阔、增殖能力强、免疫原性低等优点,近年来成为干细胞治疗的热点。 外泌体：是一种细胞主动分泌的大小均一、直径为50-150 nm的脂质双分子层结构囊泡,可由树突细胞、淋巴细胞、成纤维细胞、间充质干细胞和肿瘤细胞等多种不同细胞类型释放。 背景：肝纤维化具有较高的发病率和死亡率,肝星状细胞的活化和增殖是肝纤维化进程中的关键环节。目前还没有针对单一环节或靶点的有效抗纤维化药物。 目的：分析人脂肪干细胞来源外泌体对四氯化碳诱导的大鼠肝纤维化的影响。 方法：①通过酶溶解法获取健康人群来源脂肪中干细胞,体外培养获取一定数量细胞后通过多重超滤法获取外泌体。体外培养的肝星状细胞经转化生长因子β1活化后利用不同浓度外泌体进行处理,通过定量PCR检测细胞内α-平滑肌动蛋白的表达明确其活化程度,以及分别使用CCK-8及流式细胞术检测各组外泌体处理后活化肝星状细胞的生长率及凋亡率。②通过腹腔注射四氯化碳构建肝纤维化大鼠动物模型,尾静脉注射外泌体进行治疗。检测各组动物的肝功能及血清Ⅲ型前胶原、Ⅳ型胶原,肝组织Ishak评分及肝纤维化半定量,以及通过免疫荧光法检测肝组织内基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1、基质金属蛋白酶9及α-平滑肌动蛋白的表达。实验方案于2017年1月经同济大学动物实验伦理委员会以及医学伦理学委员会批准。 结果与结论：人脂肪干细胞来源外泌体可抑制活化的肝星状细胞增殖,其可能的机制为抑制活化巨噬细胞的增殖,减少胶原纤维、α-平滑肌动蛋白及基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1的表达,并促进基质金属蛋白酶9的表达。提示外泌体可治疗四氯化碳诱导肝纤维化。 orcid: 0000-0002-7141-8135 (Li Hongchao) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone prevents pig serum-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist spironolactone (SPL) is an effective agent for prevention of cardiovascular injury. However, whether and how SPL ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats is unknown. Pig serum (PS) (0.5 mL, twice a week, ip) or vehicle-administered rats for 12 weeks were used as rats with hepatic fibrosis or control rats, respectively. Rats given PS were treated with SPL (50 mg/kg/day, sc) for 12 weeks. Hepatic fibrosis, using picro-sirius red staining and determination of hydroxyproline content, immunohistochemistries of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Na/H exchange isoform-1 (NHE-1) protein, CYP11B2 aldosterone synthase protein for liver tissues, and plasma aldosterone concentrations were compared among the 3 groups of rats. Rats given PS alone exhibited hepatic fibrosis as well as increases in the number of the alpha-SMA-positive HSCs and NHE-1 protein expression in HSCs and hepatocytes, all of which were suppressed by SPL. Rats given PS alone revealed increased CYP11B2 protein expression in HSCs and hepatocytes, which was not inhibited by SPL. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were significantly greater in rats given PS and SPL than in control rats and rats given PS alone, although they were not different between control rats and rats given PS alone. PS-induced hepatic fibrosis together with HSC activation and NHE-1 protein expression occurs via MRs, and SPL ameliorates hepatic fibrosis presumably via the inhibition of HSC activation and NHE-1 protein expression in PS-induced liver injuries. The aldosterone produced in the injured liver contributes to the PS-induced hepatic fibrosis.     

Mechanism of interleukin‐1β‐induced proliferation in rat hepatic stellate cells from different levels of signal transduction

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producers of collagen in the liver. Their conversion from resting cells to proliferative, contractile, and activated cells is a critical step leading to liver fibrosis that is characterized by the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix. Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) may play a role in maintaining HSC in a proliferative state that is responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis. The aim of this study was to study the roles of the IL‐1 type I receptor (IL‐1R1), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and activation protein‐1 (AP‐1) in IL‐1β–mediated proliferation in rat HSCs. We showed that IL‐1β can upregulate proliferation in rat HSCs; however, inhibition of the JNK pathway could inhibit HSCs proliferation. Furthermore, IL‐1β activated IL‐1R1 expression, the JNK signaling pathway, and AP‐1 activity in a time‐dependent manner in rat HSCs. These data demonstrate that IL‐1β could promote the proliferation of rat HSCs and that the IL‐1R1, JNK, and AP‐1 pathways were involved in this process. In summary, IL‐1β‐induced proliferation is possibly mediated by the IL‐1R1, JNK, and AP‐1 pathways in rat HSCs. Therefore, drugs that block these pathways may inhibit the proliferation of HSCs and suppress liver fibrosis.     

OK-432 treatment increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 production and improves dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis in rats

Kupffer cells are major matrix metalloproteinase-producing cells in the liver. The production of metalloproteinases in Kupffer cells may contribute to the improvement of liver fibrosis inducing liver cirrhosis. In this study, we examined the effect of the OK-432 (a biological response modifier) on the dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Dimethylnitrosamine (10 microg/ml) was injected intraperitoneally into 20 male Wistar rats 3x/week for 4 weeks. For the subsequent 4 weeks, the animals were injected with saline (1 ml, 1x/week) (Group I, n=10) or OK-432 (1 Klinishe Einheit, 1x/week) (Group II, n=10). The control rats were injected with 1 ml saline for the initial 4 weeks and subsequent 4 weeks (Group III, n=10). The degree of hepatic fibrosis, the immunolocalization of type IV collagen, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-smooth muscle actin, and the mRNA expression by Northern blotting and the activity by gelatin zymography of metalloproteinase-9 were evaluated. Serum aminotransferase, hyaluronic acid, interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were measured. The deposition of á-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix containing type IV collagen and hyaluronic acid was markedly suppressed by OK-432. The mRNA expression and the activity of metalloproteinase-9 were markedly increased by OK-432. The serum aminotransferase and hyaluronic acid levels were decreased by OK-432. The serum interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha values were lower than the detectable limit in all samples from all three groups. These results indicate that OK-432 increased the production of metalloproteinase-9 and improved the rat dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis. OK-432 is suggested to be useful for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.     

Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38/activation protein-1 in interleukin-1β-mediated type I collagen synthesis in rat hepatic stellate cells

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may play a role in maintaining hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in activated state that is responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction pathway that is stimulated by IL-1 in HSC remains to be fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38/activation protein (AP-1) in IL-1β-mediated type I collagen synthesis in rat HSCs. Here, we show that IL-1β could activate JNK and p38 in a time-dependent manner, and that inhibition of the JNK pathway could increase collagen synthesis; however, inhibition of the p38 pathway could inhibit collagen synthesis. Furthermore, IL-1β activated AP-1 in a time-dependent manner in rat HSCs. These data demonstrate that L-1β could promote the synthesis of type I collagen in rat HSCs, and the JNK and p38/AP-1 pathways were involved in this process. In summary, IL-1β-induced collagen synthesis is possibly mediated by cytoplasmic JNK and p38/AP-1 pathways. Therefore, drugs that block the p38/AP-1 pathway may inhibit liver extracellular matrix synthesis and suppress liver fibrosis.     

Increased iron deposition in rat liver fibrosis induced by a high-dose injection of dimethylnitrosamine

Using a developed rat model of hepatic necrosis and subsequent fibrosis induced by a high-dose intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), we studied iron deposition and expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) during the development of persistent liver fibrosis. Rats were sacrificed at several timepoints from 6 h to 10 months post-injection and the livers were examined for iron content and distribution, and for expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, ED-1, TGF-beta(1), and collagen (alpha(2))I. Morphologic evidence of acute submassive hemorrhagic necrosis peaked at 36 h; on day 3 the residual parenchyma contained activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and necrotic areas contained numerous macrophages; and on day 5, necrotic tissues and erythrocytes had been phagocytosed and macrophages contained abundant iron deposits. From days 7 to 10, iron-laden macrophages and activated HSCs (myofibroblasts) populated the fibrous septa in parallel. From week 2 to month 10, closely arranged macrophages and myofibroblasts were found in central-to-central bridging fibrotic tissue. TGF-beta(1) was strongly detected in both macrophages and HSCs during development of liver fibrosis. Our data suggest that increased iron deposition may be involved in the initiation and perpetuation of rat liver fibrosis. Iron-laden macrophages may influence HSCs through the action of TGF-beta(1) in DMN-induced liver fibrosis.     

Increased immunoreactivities against endothelin-converting enzyme-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in hepatic stellate cells of rat fibrous liver induced by thioacetamide

The progression of rat liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (TAA) was evaluated by immunocytochemistry using anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), antiendothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1, and anti-monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 antibodies. The fibrous septal spaces gradually increased after administration of TAA, and pseudolobules were established in the 7-week TAA-treated groups. Immunoreactivities against α-SMA were not detected in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of the control group without TAA treatment, although they were observed in the HSCs around the fibrous septal spaces in all TAA-treated groups, indicating that activation of HSCs occurs during the establishment of pseudolobules. Immunoreactivities against ECE-1 and MCP-1 were seen in such HSCs of the TAA-treated groups, but few or no immunoreactivities were detected in the HSCs of the control group. The most significant increase in the ECE-1 immunoreactivities was detected in the 1-week TAA-treated group, whereas that in MCP-1 was observed in the 7-week TAA-treated group. The present immunocytochemistry indicated a difference in the accelerated expression period between immunoreactivities against ECE-1 and MCP-1 in the HSCs during the progression of TAA-induced liver fibrosis, suggesting that ECE-1 is involved in the early phase of liver fibrosis and that MCP-1 plays a role during the later phase.