Activation of TGF-beta within cultured hepatocytes and in liver injury leads to intracrine signaling with expression of connective tissue growth factor.

ABSTRACT: Recently, synthesis and secretion of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)/CYR61/CTGF/NOV-family member 2 (CCN2) in cultures of hepatocytes were shown, which are sensitively up-regulated by exogenous TGF-beta. In this study TGF-beta-dependent CTGF/CCN2 expression in hepatocytes cultured under completely TGF-beta-free conditions was analysed by Western-blots, metabolic labelling, and CTGF-reporter gene assays. In alkaline phosphatase monoclonal anti-alkaline phosphatase complex (APAAP)-staining of cultured hepatocytes it was demonstrated that latent TGF-beta within the hepatocytes becomes rapidly detectable during culture indicating an intracellular demasking of the mature TGF-beta antigen. Subsequent signaling to theCTGF/CCN2 promoter occurs via p-Smad2, whereas p-Smad3 does not seem to b

SUBMITTER: Gressner OA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3828886 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature