Aberrant TGF-β1 signaling contributes to the development of primary biliary cirrhosis in murine model.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Methods

A murine model of PBC was developed by injection of polyinosinic polycytidylic acids (poly I: C) in C57BL/6 mice, and the liver expressions of TGF β1, TGF-β receptor I (TβRI), TGF-β receptor II (TβRII), p-Smad2/3, monoclonal α-smooth muscle actin antibody (α-SMA) and α1 (I) collagen in the mouse model and control mice were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Lymphocyte subsets in liver were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Results

The mouse model had several key phenotypic features of human PBC, including elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, anti

SUBMITTER: Liu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3792337 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature