Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling Prevents Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells and Liver Fibrogenesis in Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in liver fibrosis is controversial because loss and gain of AhR activity both lead to liver fibrosis. The goal of this study was to investigate how the expression of AhR by different liver cell types, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in particular, affects liver fibrosis in mice.

Methods

We studied the effects of AhR on primary mouse and human HSCs, measuring their activation and stimulation of fibrogenesis using RNA-sequencing analysis. C57BL/6J mice were given the AhR agonists 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE); were given carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄); or underwent bile duct ligation. We also performed studies in mice with

SUBMITTER: Yan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6707837 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature