Effects of TNF alpha on the expression of SCAP and triglyceride contents in cultured steatotic hepatocytes / 中华肝脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of TNF alpha on the expression of sterol regulatory element binding proteins cleavage activating protein (SCAP) and triglyceride contents in cells of a model of cultured steatotic hepatocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A steatotic hepatocytes model was established by treating L-02 cell strain with oleic acid. The cells were treated with TNF alpha and/or TNF alpha antibody. The cells were divided into six groups a control group (C), a model group (F), a control group with TNF alpha (C1), a control group with TNFalpha antibody (C2), a model group with TNFalpha(F1) and a model group with TNFalpha antibody (F2). The expression of SREBP-1c mRNA was measured with RT-PCR; the protein expression of SCAP was measured by Western blot; lipid droplets in the hepatocytes were observed with oil red O staining; the contents of triglyceride in hepatocytes were measured with an analytical kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression of SCAP in the groups treated with TNF alpha were upregulated compared with those of the control group (C1 vs C increased 67%, F1 vs F increased 55%, F = 212.98), the protein expression of SCAP in the groups treated with TNF alpha was upregulated compared with those of the control group (C1 vs C increased 45%, F1 vs F increased 95%, F = 104.3), and triglyceride contents in hepatocytes of these groups were increased compared with those of the control group [C (2.02+/-0.67) mg/10(7) cells, F(7.79+/-1.35) mg/10(7) cells, F1(13.36+/-1.99) mg/10(7) cells, F = 82.94].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNF alpha upregulates the expression of SCAP and promotes the synthesis of triglyceride; it probably participates in the process of developing steatosis of hepatocytes.</p>