Epigenetic Changes during Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which can participate in liver regeneration and fibrogenesis, have recently been identified as liver-resident mesenchymal stem cells. During their activation HSC adopt a myofibroblast-like phenotype accompanied by profound changes in the gene expression profile. DNA methylation changes at single genes have been reported during HSC activation and may participate in the regulation of this process, but comprehensive DNA methylation analyses are still missing. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of DNA methylation during in vitro activation of HSC.

Methods and results

The analysis of DNA methylation changes by antibody-based assays revealed a strong decrease in the global DNA methylation level during culture-in

SUBMITTER: Gotze S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4466775 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature