RESUMO
AIM:To evaluate the inhibitory effect of FRNK on the phosphorylation of FAK and apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: After stimulated with fibronectin, HSCs was transfected with FRNK plasmid by cationic liposome method. The apoptosis of FRNK-induced HSCs was examined by Annexin-V/propidium iodide double-labeled flow cytometry (FCM), gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscope. The protein levels of FRNK, FAK and p-FAK (Tyr397) in HSCs were assayed by Western blotting, and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of mRNA. RESULTS: The expression of FRNK was enhanced and the phosphorylation of FAK was inhibited after FRNK was transiently transfected into HSCs in vitro. The apoptotic rate in HSCs exposed to FRNK plasmid for 48 h was higher than that in the non-FRNK plasmid group [(25.37?1.92) % vs (9.28?1.05) %, P