ABSTRACT
An experimental immunity hepatic fibrosis rat model was prepared by means of immunologic assault with human serum albumin, and normal rats served as a control group. The immunohistochemistry methods and in situ hybridization were respectively used to detect TIMP 2 mRNA and related antigens in the liver,and to investigate the localization and expression of TIMP 2 in the liver of both normal and experimental hepatic fibrosis rats. The results showed that TIMP 2 mRNA and related antigens in the livers of experimental group were expressed in myofibroblasts and fibroblasts, especially in the portal area and fibrous septum. The positive signal was located in the cytoplasm, but not in the nucleus. On the other hand, there was a high level of expression of TIMP 2 in the liver of the experimental group.It is suggested that in the process of hepatic fibrosis, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the major cells expressing TIMP 2. The severer the hepatic fibrosis in the injured liver is, the higher the levels of TIMP 2 related antigens and gene expression are.