Effects of gamma-interferon on gene expression of collagen I, III and on the tissue inhibitor of metalloprotenase 1 in HSC-T6 cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the in vitro effects of gamma-interferon (IFNgamma) on gene expression of collagen I (Col I), III (Col III) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotenase 1 (TIMP1) of HSC-T6 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured HSC-T6 cells were exposed to IFNgamma at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, 10(2), 10(3), 10(4), 2.5 x 10(5), 5 x10(5) U/ml for 48 hours. 4,5-simethylthiazaoly colormetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of IFNgamma on HSC-T6 cell proliferation. After incubating with IFNgamma (1 U/ml, 10(2) U/ml and 10(4) U/ml) for 48 hours, HSC-T6 cells were harvested to detect Col I, Col III and TIMP1 steady state mRNA levels by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Col I, Col III and TIMP1 mRNA levels of the control group were 2.86+/-0.21, 2.00+/-0.23 and 3.90+/-0.81, respectively. Col I and Col III mRNA levels in HSC-T6 cells treated by different concentrations of IFNgamma were lower than that of the controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in TIMP1 mRNA levels between IFNgamma groups and controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IFNgamma suppresses expression of Col I and Col III whereas it has no effect on TIMP1 mRNA expression. The antifibrotic mechanism of IFNgamma may be partly due to its down-regulation of Col I and Col III mRNA levels in HSC-T6 cells.</p>