Variable expression of cystatin C in cultured trans-differentiating rat hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To study the expression of cystatin C (CysC), its regulation by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the potential interference of CysC with TGF-beta1 signaling in this special cell type. METHODS: We evaluated the CysC expression in cultured, profibrogenic hepatic stellate cells and trans-differentiated myofibroblasts by Northern and Western blotting and confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: CysC was increased significantly in the course of trans-differentiation. Both TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB suppressed CysC expression. Furthermore, CysC secretion was induced by the treatment with TGF-beta1. Although CysC induced an increased binding affinity of TGF-beta receptor type III (beta-glycan) as assessed by chemical cross-linking with [125I]-TGF-beta1, it did not modulate TGF-beta1 signal transduction as shown by evaluating the Smad2/3 phosphorylation status and [CAGA]-MLP-luciferase reporter gene assay. Interestingly, the shedding of type III TGF-beta receptor beta-glycan was reduced in CysC-treated cells. Our data indicated that CysC expression was upregulated during trans-differentiation. CONCLUSION: Increased CysC levels in the serum of patients suffering from liver diseases are at least partially due to a higher expression in activated hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 influences the secretion of CysC, highlighting a potentially important role of cysteine proteases in the progression of hepatic fibrogenesis.