The GABAB receptor inhibits activation of hepatic stellate cells.
OBJECTIVE
Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In this study it was found that expression of the GABA(B) receptor was elevated in HSCs treated with Ang II. We attempted to elucidate the mechanism of the GABA(B) receptor in HSCs activation.


METHODS
First, the target gene (GABA(B) receptor) was screened by gene chip in HSCs treated with Ang II. Second, the biological function of the GABA(B) receptor was analyzed by MTT, cell-cycle assay, real-time PCR, and western blot. The methods of MTT and cell-cycle assay were used to evaluate the effect of the GABA(B) receptor on proliferation and DNA synthesis of HSCs. Expression of ECM, TGF-beta1, and alpha-SMA was analyzed by real-time PCR and western blot.


RESULTS
The GABA(B) receptor's specific agonist CGP35348 inhibited the activation of HSCs, which could be partially reversed by the GABA(B) receptor's antagonist.


CONCLUSIONS
Our in-vitro results demonstrated that the GABA(B) receptor could inhibit HSCs activation.
Xiao
Fan
F
The Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing 100011, China.
Yu
Kangkang
K
Dong
Fang
F
Liang
Yunlei
Y
Jun
Cheng
C
Wei
Hongshan
H
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D015870:Gene Expression; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D018756:GABA Antagonists; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; C066430:CGP 35348; D004247:DNA