Effect of HOCs implantation on protein expression of TGF-?/Smad signaling pathway in liver tissue of hepatic fibrosis rats / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM:To investigate the effect of hepatic oval cells (HOCs) on the protein expression of TGF-?/Smad signaling pathway in the liver tissue of hepatic fibrosis rats.METHODS:The SD rat models of liver fibrosis were made by treating with carbon tetrachloride and combined factors.The HOCs was isolated from the model rats.HOCs suspension (0.5 mL at a density of 1 ? 1012cells/L) were transplanted via portal vein into the hepatic fibrosis rats at 8th week and observed continuously for 30 days.Meanwhile,WuLing capsules were used for positive control.The blood samples were collected through trail vein at 8th day,15th day,23th day and 30th day after transplantation of HOCs.The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alamine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were determined by enzyme method.The morphological changes of hepatic tissues were observed under microscope with HE and Musson staining.The protein levels of collagen type I (Col-Ⅰ),extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK),phosphory-lation extracellular regulatedprotein kinases (p-ERK),TGF-? receptor type Ⅰ (T?RⅠ),TGF-? receptor type Ⅱ (T?RⅡ),mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 /3 (Smad 2 /3) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad 7) were assessed in liver tissues by Western blotting.RESULTS:In HOCs and WuLing capsules treated groups,the levels of ALT and AST decreased significantly at 15th day,23th day and 30th day after the transplantation of HOC.The damage degree of hepatic fiber hyperplasia of the liver histological structure reduced notably.The expression levels of Col-Ⅰ,ERK,p-ERK,T?RⅠ and T?RⅡ in liver tissues of hepatic fibrosis rats were down-regulated obviously while the expression of Smad 7 increased significantly.CONCLUSION:The implantation of HOCs prevents the progress of liver fibrosis in rats.The mechanism of action is to inhibit the protein expression of p-ERK,T?RⅠ,T?R Ⅱ for TGF-?/Smad signaling pathway of liver tissue.