Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein participates in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Liver fibrosis is characterized by significant accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, mainly fibrillar collagen-I, as a result of persistent liver injury. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is largely found in the ECM of skeletal tissue. Increased COMP expression has been associated with fibrogenesis in systemic sclerosis, lung fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We hypothesized that COMP could induce fibrillar collagen-I deposition and participate in matrix remodeling thus contributing to the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis.

Methods

Thioacetamide (TAA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) were used to induce liver fibrosis in wild-type (WT) and Comp^-/- mice. In vitro experiments w

SUBMITTER: Magdaleno F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5831373 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature