Effect of retinoid kappa receptor alpha (RXRalpha) transfection on the proliferation and phenotype of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of retinoid kappa receptor alpha (RXRalpha) transfection plus treatment with the RXRalpha ligand, 9-cis-RA, on the proliferation and phenotype of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).


METHODS
PDGF activated rat hepatic stellate cells were transfected with eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1- human RXRalpha, and confirmed by Western blot. Proliferation of transfected HSC was assayed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation as well as MTT, and the phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin) was observed by immunocytochemistry with image analysis.


RESULTS
Transfection of the RXRalpha gene and treatment with ligand 9-cis-RA of PDGF-activated HSCs extended the increased expression of RXRalpha protein for at least 168 hours. Cell proliferation and expressions of alpha- smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and desmin were blocked, compared with groups of sham-transfected, PDGF-activated, no transfection, no ligand treatment, and irrelevant ligand treated HSCs.


CONCLUSIONS
Transfection with the RXRalpha gene followed by 9-cis-RA ligand treatment will inhibit the proliferation and reverse the phenotype of activated HSC.
Department of Pathology, Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Hua
H
Li
Jinsheng
J
Zhang
Guangcun
G
Huang
Nong
N
Zhang
Qi
Q
Chen
Xiurong
X
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors