Expression changes of activin A in the process of hepatic fibrosis / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF ?) superfamily, has been reported to overexpress in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to examine the expression changes of activin A in the process of carbon tetrachloride induced rat hepatic fibrosis. Methods Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injections of 40% carbon tetrachloride oily solution for a period of 1 to 7 weeks. 6～10 rats were killed at week 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 weeks. The kinetics of activin A messenger RNA expression and its protein localization were assayed by semi quantity reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Results RT PCR and immunohistochemistry showed normal rat liver could express activin A mRNA and protein, and its expression was transiently decreased and became undectable after carbon tetrachloride injections for 2 or 3 weeks, then increased grandually. After carbon tetrachloride injecting for 6 and 7 weeks, activin A mRNA and protein expression were significantly enhanced in rats liver ( P