title: Effect of Mast Cell Chymase on Activation, Proliferation and Transdifferentiation of Hepatic Stellate Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This work aims to observe the effects of mast cell (MC) chymase on activation, proliferation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to discuss the role of chymase in development of liver fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat HSCs were isolated by in situ perfusion using collagenase IV and proteinase E and density gradient centrifugation (Percoll method), followed by culture. After intervention by chymase with series of concentration (1, 10 and 100 ng/mL), MTT assay was performed to determine HSC proliferation. Expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein in HSCs were determined by Western blotting method, and TGF-β1 and Col-I mRNA expression were determined using semi-quantitive RT-PCR method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MC Chymase could significantly promote the proliferation of HSCs (P < 0.05), with chymase concentration dependence from 1 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL. The OD value of HSCs in 100 ng/ml chymase group was 1.45 times to control group. Compared with control group, expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein and expressions of TGF-β1 and Col-I mRNA in chymase groups were significantly increased, respectively (P < 0.05), with chymase concentration dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MC chymase can promote the activation, proliferation and transdifferentiation of HSCs, and plays an important role in occurrence and development of liver fibrosis.
authors.forename: Mingshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Longren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053818:Chymases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D053818:Chymases; D024042:Collagen Type I; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat