Summary
The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rat liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the relationship between the expression of bFGF and rat liver fibrogenesis were studied. Sixty male SD rats (230–260 g) were divided into 4 groups randomly (the 0 week group, 1 week group, 4 week group and 8 week group). Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. The sections of rats’ liver in each group were tested by Van-Gieson (V-G) staining and immunohistochemistry. The expression of bFGF mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HSCs were isolated by the combined methods of collagenase IV perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. The expression of bFGF protein in cultured HSCs was detected by Western blot. Images of immunohistochemistry detection, agarose gel electrophoresis of RT-PCR and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Western blot were analyzed semiquantitatively by image-analyzing system. The results were analyzed by statistics. The results showed that the fibers were gradually increased in the sections of rat liver with the prolongation of the model induction. At the end of the 8th weeks, liver fibrosis was formed. The expression of bFGf detected by immunohistochemistry showed a similar tendency of gradual increase. At the end of the 8th weeks, the bFGF expression could be observed in many regions in sections and the strongest expression was in interstitial cells including HSCs and some hepatocytes in regions around the portal area and central veins. Also there was moderate expression widely in extracellular matrix (ECM). In RT-PCR detection and Western blot detection of HSCs cultured in vitro, the similar tendency of gradual increase was evident either. It is suggested that bFGF is related with liver fibrosis of rats closely and may be a fibrogenesis factor of liver. bFGF possibly regulates liver fibrogenesis through regulating metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) by autocrine and paracrine stimulation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Friedman S L. The cellular basis of hepatic fibrosis. N Engl J Med, 1993, 328:1828
Solis-Herruzo J A, de la Torre P, Munoz-Yague M T. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC): architects of hepatic fibrosis. Rev Esp Enferm Dig, 2003, 95(6):438, 436
Rockey D C, Boyles J K, Gabbiani Get al. Rat hepatic lipocytes express smooth muscle actin upon activation in vivo and in culture. J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol, 1992, 24:193
Pinzani M, Marra F. Cytokine receptors and signaling during stellate cell activation. Semin Liver Dis, 2001, 21:397
Rosmorduc O, Wendum D, Corpechot Cet al. Hepatocellular hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenesis in experimenal biliary cirrhosis. Am J Pathol, 1999, 155:1065
Carina B, Annie P, Martha Met al. Acidic fibroblast growth factor induces and antifibrogenic phenotype in human lung fibroblasts. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol, 1999, 20(5):1020
Ernst H, Konturek P C, Hahn E Get al. Effect of local injection with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and neutralizing antibody to BFGF on gastric ulcer healing, gastric secretion, angiogenesis and gastric blood flow. J Physiol Pharmacol, 2001, 52(3):377
Swift M E, Kleinman H K, DiPietro L A. Impaired wound repair and delayed angiogenesis in aged mice. Lab Invest, 1999, 79:1479
Smith X, Fox S B, Whitehouse Ket al. Upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in breast carcinoma and its relationship to vascular density, oestrogen receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor and survival. Ann Oncol, 1999, 10(6):707
Goldsmith K T, Gammon R B, Garver R I Jr. Modulation of bFGF in lung fibroblasts by TGF-beta and PDGF. Am J Physiol, 1991, 261(6):L378
Herrera C A, Shultz J J, Soong S Jet al. Growth factors in monoclonal light-chairrelated renal diseases. Hum Pathol, 1994, 25:883
Hayashi T, Abe K, Susuki Het al. Rapid induction of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Stroke, 1997, 28:2039
Buniatian G H. Stages of activation of hepatic stellate cells: effects of ellagic acid, an inhibiter of liver fibrosis, on their differentiation in culture. Cell Prolif, 2003, 36(6):307
Pinzani M. Hepatic stellate (ITO) cells: expanding roles for a liver specific pericyte. J Hepatol, 1995, 22:700
Qu Z, Liebler J M, Powers M Ret al. Mast cells are a major source of basic fibroblast growth factor in chronic inflammation and cutaneous hemangiona. Am J Pathol, 1995, 147:564
Dooley S, Hamzavi J, Breitkopf Ket al. Smad7 prevents activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis in rats. Gastroenterology, 2003, 125(1):178
Bikfalvi A, Klein S, Pintucci Get al. Differential modulation of cell phenotype by different molecular weight forms of basic fibroblast growth factor: possible intracellular signaling by the high molecular weight forms. J Cell Biol, 1995, 129:233
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
PENG Xiaodong, male, born in 1970, Doctorial Candidate
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Xiaodong, P., Bo, W., Tancai, W. et al. Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in rat liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells. Current Medical Science 25, 166–169 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873567
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873567