Deactivation of hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis resolution in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cell type in the liver, undergo apoptosis after cessation of liver injury, which contributes to resolution of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated whether HSC deactivation constitutes an additional mechanism of liver fibrosis resolution.

Methods

HSC activation and deactivation were investigated by single-cell PCR and genetic tracking in transgenic mice that expressed a tamoxifen-inducible CreER under control of the endogenous vimentin promoter (Vimentin-CreER).

Results

Single-cell quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated activation of almost the entire HSC population in fibrotic livers, and a gradual decrease of HSC activation during fibrosis resolution, indicating deactivati

SUBMITTER: Troeger JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3848328 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature