Role of differentiation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in progression and regression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Capillarization, characterized by loss of differentiation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), precedes the onset of hepatic fibrosis. We investigated whether restoration of LSEC differentiation would normalize crosstalk with activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and thereby promote quiescence of HSC and regression of fibrosis.

Methods

Rat LSECs were cultured with inhibitors and/or agonists and examined by scanning electron microscopy for fenestrae in sieve plates. Cirrhosis was induced in rats using thioacetamide, followed by administration of BAY 60-2770, an activator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). Fibrosis was assessed by Sirius red staining; expression of α-smooth muscle actin was measured by immunoblot analysis.

Results

Maintenan

SUBMITTER: Xie G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3618963 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature