MMP-13 deletion decreases profibrogenic molecules and attenuates N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced liver injury and fibrosis in mice.

ABSTRACT: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is involved in inflammation, pathogenesis and progression of liver fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) cleaves CTGF and releases several fragments, which are more potent than the parent molecule to induce fibrosis. The current study was aimed to elucidate the significance of MMP-13 and CTGF and their downstream effects in liver injury and fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis was induced using intraperitoneal injections of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in doses of 10 μg/g body weight on three consecutive days of each week over a period of 4 weeks in both wild-type (WT) and MMP-13 knockout mice. Administration of NDMA resulted in marked elevation of AST, ALT, TGF-β1 and hyaluronic acid in the serum and activation of stellate cells, massive necrosis, de

SUBMITTER: George J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5706575 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature