title: [Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 inhibits TGF-β1-induced α-SMA expression in normal human lung fibroblasts].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of liver X receptor agonist T0901317 on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in normal human lung fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary normal human lung fibroblast isolated from the lung specimens of lung cancer patients by explant culture technique were identified with immunostaining for vimentin and keratin. The cells in passages 4 to 10 were treated with T0901317 and/or TGF-β1, and RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect α-SMA expression in the fibroblasts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung fibroblast expressed vimentin but not keratin. The results of RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay all showed that normal human lung fibroblasts constitutively expressed α-SMA under baseline condition, and TGF-β1 at 5 ng/ml induced a significant upregulation of α-SMA both at the mRNA and protein levels. Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 (5 µg/ml) significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced upregulation of α-SMA expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver X receptor agonist T0901317 can inhibit the upregulation of α-SMA in normal human lung fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1, suggesting the potential value of liver X receptor agonist in the treatment of lung fibrosis.
authors: Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, China. rdq1982@163.com
authors: Dun-qiang
authors: DQ
authors: Ren
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Yong-zhong
authors: YZ
authors: Guo
authors: Ran
authors: R
authors: Ma
authors: Nan-shan
authors: NS
authors: Zhong