FOXC2-AS1/FOXC2 axis mediates matrix stiffness-induced trans-differentiation of hepatic stellate cells into fibrosis-promoting myofibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: Matrix stiffness is a central modulator of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and hepatic fibrogenesis. However, the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)-regulated transcriptional factors linking matrix stiffness to alterations in HSCs phenotype are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of matrix stiffness on HSCs activation and its potential mechanism. Through analysis the RNA-seq data with human primary HSCs cultured on 0.4 kPa and 25.6 kPa hydrogel, we identified that forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) and its antisense lncRNA FXOC2-AS1 as the new mechanosensing transcriptional regulators that coordinate HSCs responses to the matrix stiffness, moreover, FOXC2 and FOXC2-AS1 expression were also elevated in human fibrosis and cirrhosis tissues. The matrix stif

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10496501 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature