title: Cytoglobin expression in the hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 is regulated by extracellular matrix proteins dependent on FAK-signalling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibrosis is a physiological response to cellular injury in the liver and is mediated by the activation of hepatic stellate cells resulting in the replacement of hepatocytes with extracellular matrix comprised principally of collagen 1 to form a hepatic scar. Although the novel hexaco-ordinated globin cytoglobin was identified in activated hepatic stellate cells more than 10 years ago, its role in stellate cell biology and liver fibrosis remains enigmatic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the current study, we investigated the role of different extracellular matrix proteins in stellate cell proliferation, activation (alpha smooth muscle actin expression and retinoic acid uptake) and cytoglobin expression. Our results demonstrate that cytoglobin expression is correlated with a more quiescent phenotype of stellate cells in culture and that cytoglobin is regulated by the extracellular matrix through integrin signalling dependent on activation of focal adhesion kinase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further studies are required, we provide evidence that cytoglobin is a negative regulator of stellate cell activation and therefore may represent a novel target for anti-fibrotic treatments in the future.
authors: School of Biosciences and School of Medicine, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors: Louise Catherine
authors: LC
authors: Stone
authors: School of Biosciences and School of Medicine, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors: Lorna Susan
authors: LS
authors: Thorne
authors: School of Biosciences and School of Medicine, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors: Christopher John
authors: CJ
authors: Weston
authors: School of Biosciences and MG Toxicology Consulting Ltd, Birmingham, UK.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Graham
authors: School of Biosciences and School of Medicine, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
authors: Nikolas John
authors: NJ
authors: Hodges
keywords: Cytoglobin; Fibrosis; Focal adhesion kinase; Hepatic stellate cell; Liver