Knockdown of vimentin reduces mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in the Mdr2^-/- mouse model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cholangiocytes are the target cells of cholangiopathies including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that has been found in various types of mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of vimentin in the progression of biliary damage/liver fibrosis and whether there is a mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in the Mdr2^-/- model of PSC.

Methods

In vivo studies were performed in 12 wk. Mdr2^-/- male mice with or without vimentin Vivo-Morpholino treatment and their corresponding control groups. Liver specimens from human PSC patients, human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiC) and human hepatic stellate cell lines (HHSteCs) were used to measure changes in epithelia

SUBMITTER: Zhou T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6838376 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature