Disruption of TAK1 in hepatocytes causes hepatic injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis.

ABSTRACT: TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a MAP3K family member that activates NF-kappaB and JNK via Toll-like receptors and the receptors for IL-1, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta. Because the TAK1 downstream molecules NF-kappaB and JNK have opposite effects on cell death and carcinogenesis, the role of TAK1 in the liver is unpredictable. To address this issue, we generated hepatocyte-specific Tak1-deficient (Tak1DeltaHEP) mice. The Tak1DeltaHEP mice displayed spontaneous hepatocyte death, compensatory proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and perisinusoidal fibrosis at age 1 month. Older Tak1DeltaHEP mice developed multiple cancer nodules characterized by increased expression of fetal liver genes including alpha-fetoprotein. Cultures of primary hepatocytes deficient in Tak1 exhibited sponta

SUBMITTER: Inokuchi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2818947 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature