Proliferating bile duct epithelial cells are a major source of connective tissue growth factor in rat biliary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a downstream mediator of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and thus a potential target for antifibrotic treatment strategies. CTGF is up-regulated in disorders such as atherosclerosis, scleroderma, and fibrosis of kidneys and lungs. We investigated the temporospatial expression patterns of CTGF and TGF-beta1 mRNA in rat livers with acute fibrogenesis (after a single dose of CCl(4)) and with advanced fibrosis (6 weeks after complete bile duct occlusion). Multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay revealed increasing TGF-beta1 and CTGF mRNA levels 6 hours after injection of CCl(4), with peak levels after 72 hours. In biliary fibrosis TGF-beta1 and CTGF mRNA levels increased fourfold and sevenfold, respectively (P: < 0.001). In situ hybridiza

SUBMITTER: Sedlaczek N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1891909 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature