Interleukin-17 Promotes Activation of Human Hepatic Stellate Cells and Collagen Expression / 胃肠病学

ABSTRACT

Background:Activation of hepatic stellate cells( HSCs)plays a pivotal role in development of liver fibrosis. Interleukin-17(IL-17)is the most important effector of T helper 17(Th17)cells that causes inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage. Preliminary studies showed that the number of IL-17-positive cells in liver tissue was positively correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and autoimmune hepatitis. However,the mechanism of IL-17 in liver fibrosis is not yet clarified. Aims:To investigate the effect of IL-17 on activation of human HSC cell line LX2 and collagen expression. Methods:Human HSC cell line LX2 was treated with different concentrations of IL-17. Viability of LX2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen(Col-Ⅰ)and Col-Ⅲ were determined by real-time PCR. Protein expressions of α-SMA、Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ were detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Viability of LX2 cells increased with the increase of IL-17 concentration,but no significant differences were seen between any two groups(P > 0. 05). mRNA expressions of α-SMA, Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ in IL-17 treatment group(100 ng/ mL)were significantly higher than those in blank control group(P <0. 05). With the increase of IL-17 concentration,protein expressions of α-SMA,Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ gradually increased. Conclusions:IL-17 can promote the activation of HSCs and expressions of Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ,thereby contributing to the development of liver fibrosis.