Identification of novel gene expression programs in thrombin-stimulated hepatic stellate cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence suggests that the coagulation factor thrombin plays a pathologic role in liver fibrosis. Studies have proposed that thrombin signaling through protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) promotes activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the primary collagen-producing cells in the fibrotic liver. However, a comprehensive view of the effect of thrombin on HSCs is lacking.

Objectives

This study tests the hypothesis that thrombin induces expression of fibrogenic mediators in HSCs via PAR1 activation.

Methods

Immortalized human HSCs (LX-2) were cultured for 48 hours, then stimulated with human α-thrombin (0-10 U/mL). In some experiments, cells were pretreated with the PAR1 antagonist, vorapaxar (0.01-10 μM). PAR1 activation and gene and protein expression

SUBMITTER: Mac NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12637384 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature