原肌球蛋白1在大鼠肝纤维化模型及肝星状细胞中的动态表达及其意义

目的 观察原肌球蛋白1 (TPMl)在大鼠肝纤维化模型及肝星状细胞(HSC)中的动态表达.方法 将SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(6只)和模型组(24只).二甲基亚硝胺腹腔注射建立大鼠肝纤维化模型,于第2、4、6、8周(每组各6只)门静脉采血及取肝组织标本; HSC-T6细胞设对照组及刺激组,刺激组以5 ng/ml转化生长因子β 1(TGF β 1)作用48h.苏木素-伊红和Masson染色观察肝组织病理变化,RT-PCR、免疫组织化学和Western blot检测组织与细胞中TPMl,TGF β1及α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的mRNA和蛋白的表达,以及TPMl在肝组织中的定位.两样本均数比较采用独立样本t检验;相关性采用Pearson直线相关分析.结果 成功建立肝纤维化模型,TPMl在正常肝组织中低表达于汇管区血管内皮上,在模型组TPMl强表达于增生的肝纤维间隔,TPMl及α-SMA的mRNA及蛋白的表达在肝纤维化过程中均逐渐升高,6周时高于其他各组,8周时下降,与对照组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P＜ 0.05);TGF β 1先升高,4周时高于其他各组,6周时下降(P＜0.05);相关性分析表明TPMl与o-SMA和TGF β 1的表达均呈正相关(rs=0.688和rs=0.692,P＜0.01); HSC-T6细胞中,TGF β 1刺激组TPM1及α- SMA的mRNA表达均升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 TPMl参与了肝纤维化的发生和发展过程,有望成为肝纤维化诊断与治疗的新靶点.     

肝内肌成纤维细胞和星状细胞在肝纤维化中的作用

肝纤维化是不同病因长期作用于肝脏所致损伤后修复反应,发病机制主要是肝内纤维生成,细胞活化、增殖,合成大量细胞外基质(extracellur matrix.ECM),并伴有ECM降解不足,最终导致其在肝内大量积聚.近来有研究提示除肝星状细胞(hepatic satellite cell,HSC)外,肌成纤维细胞(myofibroblast,MF)可能是另一类参与肝纤维化进程并发挥重要作用的细胞,进一步确证上述研究结果将助于针对不同类型肝纤维化寻找和采取不同的干预方法,以更有效地阻断肝纤维化的进展.     

Tet-on和Cre／loxP双调控肝靶向表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的制备和功能评价

目的制备Tet-on和Cre/loxP系统双重调控下肝靶向性表达Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠rtTALAP-1/LC-1并评价其功能,为最终建立可突破胚胎期免疫耐受的双调控型HCV转基因小鼠模型奠定基础。方法选取适龄rtTALAP-1转基因小鼠与LC-1转基因小鼠交配,PCR法检测子代rtTALAP-1/LC-1转基因小鼠基因组中是否插入了rtTA元件和Cre基因片段。双阳性rtTALAP-1/LC-1小鼠dox诱导1周后,以小动物活体成像系统检测小鼠肝脏的Luc萤光素酶信号,免疫组化检测Cre重组酶在小鼠肝脏等组织中的表达状况。结果 rtTALAP-1/LC-1转基因小鼠在dox诱导后,仅在其肝脏检测到清晰的Luc萤光素酶信号,而其他脏器均未检测到萤光信号;免疫组化法也仅在小鼠肝细胞核中检测到Cre重组酶的表达,心脏、肾脏和骨骼肌等其他组织均未检测到Cre重组酶的表达。结论成功制备了rtTALAP-1/LC-1转基因小鼠,其靶基因表达的诱导反应性和肝靶向性均良好,为最终制备双调控型丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）转基因小鼠模型奠定了良好的基础。     

高血糖对大鼠肝纤维化及肝星状细胞活化的影响

目的探讨高血糖对大鼠肝纤维化及肝星状细胞活化的影响。方法取大鼠66只,随机分为4组,A组和B组均采用STZ(链脲佐菌素)和CCl4(四氯化碳)诱导为肝纤维化并糖尿病模型。A组诱导成功不做处理。B组糖尿病诊断成立后,皮下注射门冬胰岛素,3次/d控制血糖。C组单纯利用CCl4(四氯化碳分析纯)诱导为肝纤维化模型。D组(空白对照组)常规喂养,不做处理。观察各组大鼠一般情况(包括鼠食消耗、毛发变化、活动指数),8周后处死,测量大鼠体质量、肝脏体积及重量,采集血液及肝脏标本,分析对比各组大鼠肝脏系数,HE染色后光镜下肝组织纤维化情况;免疫组化SP法检测肝组织内α-SMA表达。结果实验各组与对照组大鼠相比体质量明显减轻(P<0.05),肝脏系数明显增加(P<0.05),肝组织α-SMA表达均不同程度增强(P<0.05);其中A组的体质量减轻最明显,肝纤维化、肝脏系数增加最显著(P<0.05),肝组织α-SMA表达亦有显著性差异(P<0.05);B组与C组相比体质量无明显减轻(P>0.05),肝脏系数无明显增加(P>0.05),而肝组织α-SMA表达差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论高血糖可促进大鼠肝纤维化形成及肝星状细胞的活化。     

肝星状细胞在逆转肝纤维化中的作用

肝纤维化是一种能够导致门静脉高压、肝硬化、肝衰竭的严重疾病。已经发现肝星状细胞的活化是引起肝纤维化的中心环节,因此抑制肝星状细胞的活化、加速肝星状细胞的清除有望逆转肝纤维化。本文将对活化的肝星状细胞的凋亡、衰老以及清除的研究进展作综述,阐明肝星状细胞在肝纤维化过程中所起的作用及相关机制。     

Expression of large tenascin-C splice variants by hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts in chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Earlier studies have suggested involvement of tenascin-C (TN-C) in liver fibrosis. Here, we examined expression of TN-C variants and types of alternatively spliced fibronectin-type III (FNIII) repeats in chronic hepatitis. METHODS: Using three monoclonal antibodies against TN-C variants, immunohistochemical staining was performed and the correlation with histological parameters of chronic hepatitis C was examined. The cellular source was also determined and variant expression and their types were tested using isolated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver myofibroblasts, and/or LI90 cells. RESULTS: Large variants were not expressed in normal liver, but were up-regulated in chronic hepatitis, especially at sites of interface hepatitis and confluent necrosis, showing stronger correlations between staining intensity and these than with other parameters or fibrosis. TN-C deposition was closely correlated with increase in the number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells, i.e. activated HSCs/myofibroblasts, and in situ hybridization showed TN-C mRNA signals in the cells. Activated HSCs and myofibroblasts in culture highly expressed large variants of TN-C. In LI90 cells, sequencing of large variants revealed that the FNIII repeats D and A1/A4, followed by B, were preferentially included. CONCLUSIONS: TN-C and its variants are produced by HSCs/myofibroblasts, suggesting important roles in liver fibrogenesis.     

Altered factor VII activating protease expression in murine hepatic fibrosis and its influence on hepatic stellate cells

Background: Platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB) is a profibrotic factor in liver fibrosis through its ability to stimulate hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The liver‐derived serine protease factor VII activating protease (FSAP) regulates the activities of PDGF‐BB in a cell‐specific manner. Aims: Our aim was to determine the influence of FSAP on the activation of HSC and to analyse the regulation of FSAP in hepatic fibrogenesis. Methods: The effect of FSAP on PDGF‐stimulated p42/p44 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in primary rat HSC was determined by Western blotting. Migration and proliferation of HSC was evaluated in Boyden chamber experiments and ³H‐thymidine incorporation assays respectively. Expression of FSAP was analysed in a CCl₄ mouse model of liver fibrosis by Western blot, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results: FSAP inhibited PDGF‐BB‐stimulated p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation, proliferation and migration of HSC. FSAP mRNA expression level was increased 3 h after CCl₄ application and decreased after 18 h and, in established fibrosis, after chronic CCl₄ administration. In parallel, there was a decrease in the circulating FSAP protein in chronic fibrosis. Concurrently, the homogenous hepatic expression pattern of FSAP was disturbed. Immunohistochemistry revealed a decrease of FSAP in hepatocytes in inflammatory and fibrotic lesions. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an inhibitory effect of FSAP on PDGF‐mediated activation of HSC. In addition, FSAP expression is transiently increased in acute‐phase reaction but decreased during chronic fibrogenesis, which in turn may influence PDGF‐BB availability and myofibroblast activity.     

Morphological characterisation of portal myofibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells in the normal dog liver

Background  

Hepatic fibrosis is a common outcome of hepatic injury in both man and dog. Activated fibroblasts which develop myofibroblastic characteristics play an essential role in hepatic fibrogenesis, and are comprised of three subpopulations: 1) portal or septal myofibroblasts, 2) interface myofibroblasts and 3) the perisinusoidally located hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The present study was performed to investigate the immunohistochemical characteristics of canine portal myofibroblasts (MF) and HSC in the normal unaffected liver as a basis for further studies on fibrogenesis in canine liver disease.     

胆管结扎大鼠肝纤维化模型中HSC的分离和培养及PARs的表达

目的探讨胆管结扎诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型的制备和改良的Friedman方法分离和培养肝星状细胞(HSC),以及HSC蛋白酶活化受体(PARS)的表达与HSC活化的关系。方法采用结扎大鼠胆管诱导肝纤维化动物模型,应用改良的Friedman方法和Nycodenz一步密度梯度离心法分离肝纤维化大鼠HSC。病理学检测大鼠肝纤维化分级,免疫组化检测Desmin、α-SMA和PARS在HSC的表达,实验同时设立阴性对照。结果模型组大鼠肝纤维化病理学分级第1周为0,第2~3周多为1~2级,第4、5周为2~3级,第6周肝组织结构破坏,肝细胞变性坏死,炎性细胞浸润,病理学分级多为4级。改良的Friedman方法大鼠肝脏可获得5×106~1×107个细胞,存活率在96%以上,纯度平均为95%~96%。免疫组化检测α-SMA和PARS在培养的HSC于7、14天其表达逐渐增多,二者表达呈一致关系。结论结扎大鼠胆管建立的肝纤维化模型形成时间较短,实验中无有毒物质接触,是肝纤维化的理想模型;改良的Friedman方法分离和培养HSC,在保证HSC纯度的同时,提高了产量和活率,是研究HSC的有效方法;PARS的表达与HSC活化相关。     

甘草次酸靶向肝星状细胞治疗肝纤维化的体内研究

目的观察以6-磷酸甘露糖修饰的白蛋白(M6P26-HSA)作为特异性载体,将甘草次酸(GA) 靶向释放到肝星状细胞治疗肝纤维化的效果。方法用125I记由M6P26-HSA和GA在体外合成新的偶合物GA-HSA-M6P26,观察其在体内的器官分布情况,用双重免疫组织化学的方法观察星状细胞对GA- HSA-M6P26的选择性摄取;选用Sirius红染色观察GA-HSA-M6P26对肝纤维化时胶原沉积的影响,用定量聚合酶链反应检测GA-HSA-M6P26对Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA表达的影响。结果静脉注射后10min,GA-HSA- M6P26选择性地分布于肝脏,摄取高峰可达(5 5.093±5.404)%。双重免疫组织化学染色证实GA-HSA- M6P26主要被星状细胞选择性摄取,GA-HSA-M6P26治疗后肝脏胶原沉积明显减少,Ⅰ型前胶原和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白mRNA表达明显降低。结论GA-HSA-M6P26可以选择性地分布于肝脏星状细胞,有显著的抗肝纤维化作用。     

甘草次酸靶向肝星状细胞治疗肝纤维化的初步研究

肝星状细胞(HSC)是肝纤维化发生和发展的主要细胞，将药物选择性地释投到HSC可以提高抗肝纤维化作用，减少不良作用。研究以6磷酸甘露糖(M6P)修饰的白蛋白(M6P-HSA)为载体，甘草次酸(G)靶向HSC治疗肝纤维化的可行性。     

肝星状细胞在血吸虫病肝纤维化形成及调控中的作用

肝星状细胞(hepatic stellate cell,HSC)是肝脏组织的一种间质细胞,具有多种生理功能,对肝纤维化的形成与转归起到关键作用.HSC同样在血吸虫病肝纤维化形成及其调节中起到重要作用.该文就HSC的生物学特性、活化及其在血吸虫病肝纤维化中的作用作一综述.     

Relaxin inhibits effective collagen deposition by cultured hepatic stellate cells and decreases rat liver fibrosis in vivo

BACKGROUND: Following liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) transform into myofibroblast-like cells (activation) and are the major source of type I collagen and the potent collagenase inhibitors tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in the fibrotic liver. The reproductive hormone relaxin has been reported to reduce collagen and TIMP-1 expression by dermal and lung fibroblasts and thus has potential antifibrotic activity in liver fibrosis. AIMS: To determine the effects of relaxin on activated HSC. METHODS: Following isolation, HSC were activated by culture on plastic and exposed to relaxin (1-100 ng/ml). Collagen deposition was determined by Sirius red dye binding and radiolabelled proline incorporation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and TIMP expression were assessed by zymography and northern analysis. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA and protein levels were quantified by northern analysis and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Exposure of activated HSC to relaxin resulted in a concentration dependent decrease in both collagen synthesis and deposition. There was a parallel decrease in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 secretion into the HSC conditioned media but no change in gelatinase expression was observed. Northern analysis demonstrated that primary HSC, continuously exposed to relaxin, had decreased TIMP-1 mRNA expression but unaltered type I collagen, collagenase (MMP-13), alpha smooth muscle actin, and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that relaxin modulates effective collagen deposition by HSC, at least in part, due to changes in the pattern of matrix degradation.     

Fenretinide stimulates the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in mice

Aim: To investigate whether fenretinide, a clinically proved apoptosis‐inducing chemopreventive agent in tumor cells, can induce apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and resolve hepatic fibrosis. Methods: CCl₄‐induced liver fibrosis in mice and rat activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC‐T6) as well as hepatocytes (BRL‐3A) were studied. Results: The duplex staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α‐ smooth muscle actin or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick‐end labeling and α‐ smooth muscle actin demonstrated that fenretinide executed its anti‐fibrosis effect in liver by inducing apoptosis rather than inhibiting proliferation of HSCs, while it had no apparently apoptotic effect on hepatocytes. Fenretinide could elicit apoptosis of HSC‐T6 in vitro at the concentration range from 0.5 to 5 µM, but at higher concentrations ≥5 µM was required to induce apoptosis in hepatocytes (BRL‐3A). Conclusion: Further studies using malondialdehyde measurement, Western blot, antioxidant, inhibitors for p53, caspase 8 and 9 – as well as anti‐Fas neutralizing antibody – have shown that in HSC‐T6, fenretinide‐induced apoptosis involves a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐generated, P53‐independent, mitochondria‐associated intrinsic pathway, whereas in hepatocytes (BRL‐3A), a ROS‐generated, P53‐dependent, Fas‐related extrinsic pathway is triggered only at high concentration.