title: Progress of targeting transforming growth factor-β1 small interfering RNA in liver fibrosis.
abstract: Liver fibrosis is a common pathological consequence of a variety of chronic stimuli, including viral, autoimmune, drug-induced, cholestatic and metabolic diseases. Fibrosis is driven by a dynamic process involving increased synthesis of matrix components and a failure of physiological mechanisms of matrix turnover. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains a central event in fibrosis. HSCs are the main source of extracellular matrix (ECM). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-Β), which is the fibrogenic master cytokine, can induce the activation of HSCs to produce a large amount of ECM, and is capable of inducing apoptosis of liver cells. RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel gene disruption technology. Studies have shown that small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TGF-Β1 may inhibit the activation and proliferation of HSCs, suppress ECM synthesis and block liver fibrosis. TGF-Β1 siRNA-mediated gene silencing therapy provides a new avenue for liver fibrosis. This review summarizes recent progresses in research on HSCs, TGF-Β1 and TGF-Β1 siRNA in liver fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421002, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421002, China.
authors.forename: Xue-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000628:therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1