[Effects and the mechanism of HGF on the apoptosis of rat primary cultured hepatic stellate cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the inhibitory effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the apoptosis of rat primary cultured hepatic stellate cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB).


METHODS
Hepatic stellate cells were cultured and treated with PDGF-BB+HGF, HGF or nothing (controls). Apoptosis of these hepatic stellate cells was evaluated by AO/EB staining, TUNEL and flow cytometry. Expression level of P65 was observed with immunocytochemical staining; DNA-protein binding complex of NF-kappa B was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.


RESULTS
The cell apoptosis rate of the control group was lower than that of the PDGF-BB+HGF group. The apoptosis rate of the PDGF-BB+HGF group was lower than that of the HGF treated group; the expression of P65 was lower in the PDGF-BB+HGF group and HGF treated group compared to the normal control group; DNA-protein binding activity of NF-kappa B was respectively attenuated in the normal control group, PDGF-BB+HGF treated group and HGF treated group (P less than 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
HGF can induce HSC apoptosis. Its possible mechanism may involve inhibiting DNA-protein binding activity of NF-kappa B and down-regulating the expression level of P65.
Zhong
Xiao-qin
XQ
Department of Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400010, China.
Shen
Wei
W
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077214:Becaplermin; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; C498145:Rela protein, rat; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D000077214:Becaplermin; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor