title: Transforming growth factor-beta-induced stimulation of formation of collagen fiber network and anti-fibrotic effect of taurine in an in vitro model of hepatic fibrosis.
abstract: The cell strain M, which was established from normal rat liver cells, is characterized by the active formation of a collagen fiber network. In this study, we investigated the characterization of M cells and evaluated the anti-fibrogenic effects of taurine using this culture system. M cells expressed cytokeratin (CK)8, CK18, vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin, whereas expression of CK-19 or desmin was not detected. Also, M cells expressed transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, -beta2, and TGF-beta type I and II receptors, and treatment with TGF-beta1 (1ng/ml) for 6 days markedly stimulated the formation of a collagen fiber network and expression of procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA. When M cells were treated with various concentrations of taurine (10-50mM), network formation and procollagen alpha1(I) expression were significantly suppressed in a dose dependent manner. Additionally, even in the presence of TGF-beta1, taurine treatment effectively reduced the formation of a collagen fiber network. These results suggest that M cells exhibit features of not only hepatocytes but also myofibroblasts, and TGF-beta1 plays an important role in the formation of collagen fiber networks in this culture system. Additionally, this M cell culture system is appropriate for use as an in vitro model of hepatic fibrosis in the evaluation of the anti-fibrogenic effects of various agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ido
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasuike
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uto
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terano
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsubouchi