1998年3月
Expression of activin A is increased in cirrhotic and fibrotic rat livers
GASTROENTEROLOGY
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- 巻
- 114
- 号
- 3
- 開始ページ
- 550
- 終了ページ
- 558
- 記述言語
- 英語
- 掲載種別
- 研究論文(学術雑誌)
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0016-5085(98)70539-6
- 出版者・発行元
- W B SAUNDERS CO
Background & Aims: Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily, recently has been reported to suppress DNA synthesis and to induce apoptosis of hepatocytes. These biological functions are similar to those of TGF-beta 1, which is overexpressed in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to examine whether activin A is involved in liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Methods: Liver cirrhosis or fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injections of dimethylnitrosamine or porcine serum into rats. The kinetics of activin A messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cirrhotic and fibrotic livers and primary cultured rat hepatocytes were assessed by Northern blotting, and the localization of activin A was determined immunohistochemically. Modulation of type 1 collagen mRNA expression by activin A in rat cultured Ito/fat-storing cells and fibroblasts was also examined. Results: Northern blotting showed that activin A mRNA expression was enhanced in fibrotic livers. The numbers of hepatocytes expressing immunoreactive activin A were significantly greater, especially around the fibrotic areas. Activin A mRNA expression in cultured hepatocytes was increased significantly by TGF-beta 1 and by activin A itself. Furthermore, type 1 collagen mRNA expression in cultured cells was enhanced by activin A and TGF-beta 1 in a synergistic manner. Conclusions: Activin A is overexpressed in rat cirrhotic and fibrotic livers and may contribute to hepatic fibrogenesis.
- リンク情報
- ID情報
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- DOI : 10.1016/S0016-5085(98)70539-6
- ISSN : 0016-5085
- PubMed ID : 9496947
- Web of Science ID : WOS:000072250000022