[Changes of the expression of integrin alpha6beta1 and the activity of focal adhesion kinase in the liver sinusoidal endothelial cell in experimental fibrotic rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of integrin alpha(6)beta(1) and the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) from experimental fibrotic rats induced by CCl(4).


METHODS
By in situ collagenase perfusion and two-step Percoll gradient centrifugation, SECs were isolated and cultured from normal and CCl(4) -treated Wistar rats. The expression of integrin alpha(6)beta(1) was determined by cell-ELISA, and the activity of FAK was assessed by immunoprecipitation-tyrosine kinase assay.


RESULTS
The integrin alpha(6)beta(1) was almost absent in the normal SECs and was up-regulated during the fibrotic process; SECs from experimental fibrotic rats possessed higher expression level of integrin alpha(6)beta(1) than normal SECs (P<0.05). The FAK activity in SECs from experimental fibrotic rats increased significantly as compared with the normal controls (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of integrin alpha(6)beta(1) on SECs and the increase of FAK in SECs may be important in the phenotype and function changes of SECs during hepatic fibrogenesis.
Liu
X
X
Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
Fu
H
H
Yang
L
L
Huang
M
M
Xiao
W
W
Wang
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D039121:Integrin alpha6beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D039121:Integrin alpha6beta1; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases