The effect of exogenous IGFBPrP1 on collagen content of liver tissue in mice / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of exogenous IGFBPrP1 on collagen content in liver tissue. Methods Twenty-four male C57BL/6 wild-type mice were randomly divided into three groups Control group (n=8), rmIGFBPrP1 2 weeks group (n=8) and rmIGFBPrP1 4weeks group (n=8). Both hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and picric acid-Sirius red staining were performed. The protein expression of IGFBPrP1, Collagen Ⅰ , Collagen Ⅲ, FN, TGF-β1, Smad3 andp-Smad2/3 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry or Western blot. Results Exogenous IGFBPrP1 can cause pathological changes in liver tissue. Collagen content was significantly increased by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and picric acid-Sirius red staining (P＜0.05). The protein expression of IGFBPrP1, FN and Collagen Ⅰ was gradually increased after rmIGFBPrP1 injection for 2 weeks and 4 weeks by Western blot (P＜0.01). The protein expression of Collagen Ⅲ was obviously increased in the rmIGFBPrP1 2 weeks group and rmIGFBPrP1 4 weeks group by immunohistochemistry, and the level in the 4 weeks group was higher than that in the 2 weeks group (P＜0. 01). The protein expression of TGF-β1, Smad3 and p-Smad2/3 in liver tissue was significantly increased after rmIGFBPrP1 injection in a time-dependent manner by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot (P＜0. 01).Conclusion Exogenous IGFBPrP1 can cause a marked increase in collagen content and the excessive deposition of ECM through the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway in liver tissue.