[Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in hepatic stellate cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro.


METHODS
HSCs were prepared from SD rats by in situ perfusion and single-step Nycodenz gradient, and were treated with TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1. The expression of CTGF in HSC was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 could stimulate the expression of CTGF mRNA in HSC. The expression of CTGF was not found in HSC after treatment with TNF-alpha(10microgram/L) for 6 hours, but was observed after TNF-alpha treatment for 24 and 48 hours. TGF-beta1 could induce the mRNA expression for CTGF just after 6 hours of treatment at 1microgram/L concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
TNF-alpha is able to induce the expression of CTGF in HSC, and this may be one of the mechanisms for TNF-alpha involving in the liver fibrosis.
Liu
X
X
Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wu
H
H
Liu
F
F
Huang
M
M
Qiang
O
O
Huang
S
S
D000818:Animals; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
C526316:CCN2 protein, rat; D006133:Growth Substances; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor