In vivo inhibition of rat stellate cell activation by soluble transforming growth factor beta type II receptor: a potential new therapy for hepatic fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a well characterized cytokine that appears to play a major role in directing the cellular response to injury, driving fibrogenesis, and, thus, potentially underlying the progression of chronic injury to fibrosis. In this study, we report the use of a novel TGF-beta receptor antagonist to block fibrogenesis induced by ligation of the common bile duct in rats. The antagonist consisted of a chimeric IgG containing the extracellular portion of the TGF-beta type II receptor. This "soluble receptor" was infused at the time of injury; in some experiments it was given at 4 days after injury, as a test of its ability to reverse fibrogenesis. The latter was assessed by expression of collagen, both as the mRNA in stellate cells isolated from control or in

SUBMITTER: George J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC23066 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature