Autocrine CTHRC1 activates hepatic stellate cells and promotes liver fibrosis by activating TGF-β signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatic fibrosis is caused by chronic liver injury and may progress toward liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, current treatment is not satisfactory. Therefore, there is a mandate to find novel therapeutic targets to improve therapy, and biomarkers to monitor therapeutic response.

Methods

Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) or thioacetamide (TAA) in wild type (WT) or CTHRC1^-/- mice, followed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical analyses. CTHRC1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was used to abrogate the effect of CTHRC1 in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Here, we reported that collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), a secreted protein derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), was

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6412555 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature