title: Long non-coding RNA APTR promotes the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the progression of liver fibrosis.
abstract: In this study, we aimed at assessing a role of Alu-mediated p21 transcriptional regulator (APTR) in hepatofibrogenesis. APTR was upregulated in fibrotic liver samples and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Knockdown of APTR inhibited the activation of HSCs in vitro and mitigated the accumulation of collagen in vivo. Importantly, APTR silencing could abrogate TGF-β1-induced upregulation of α-SMA in HSCs. In addition, inhibition of cell cycle and cell proliferation by APTR knockdown was attenuated by p21 siRNA1 in primary HSCs. Finally, serum APTR levels were increased in patients with liver cirrhosis, indicating a potential biomarker for liver cirrhosis. Collectively, evidence is proposed for a new biological role of APTR in hepatofibrogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Jinshan, Shanghai, 201508, China.
authors.forename: Fujun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
authors.forename: Jianjian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Jinshan, Shanghai, 201508, China.
authors.forename: Yuqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
authors.forename: Peihong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, Ningbo Yinzhou Second Hospital, Ningbo, 315000, China.
authors.forename: Guojun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
authors.forename: Zhongqiu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
authors.forename: Chuanyong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
authors.forename: Zhanju
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Jinshan, Shanghai, 201508, China. Electronic address: ktsqdph@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D020868:Gene Silencing; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: Alu-mediated p21 transcriptional regulator; Hepatic stellate cells; Liver fibrosis; Long non-coding RNA; p21