Progress of Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Small Interfering RNA in Liver Fibrosis
- Author:
Zhou XUAN
1
;
Yang XUE-FENG
Author Information
1. Department of Gastroenterology
- Keywords:
liver fibrosis;
hepatic stellate cells;
transforming growth factor-β;
small interfering RNA
- From:
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal
2014;(4):231-235
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Liver fibrosis is a common pathological consequence of a variety of chronic stimuli, including viral, autoimmune, drug-induced, cholestatic and metabolic diseases. Fibrosis is driven by a dynamic process involving increased synthesis of matrix components and a failure of physiological mechanisms of matrix turnover. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains a central event in fibrosis. HSCs are the main source of extracellular matrix (ECM). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which is the fibrogenic master cytokine, can induce the activation of HSCs to produce a large amount of ECM, and is capable of inducing apoptosis of liver cells. RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel gene disruption technology. Studies have shown that small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TGF-β1 may inhibit the activation and proliferation of HSCs, suppress ECM synthesis and block liver fibrosis. TGF-β1 siRNA-mediated gene silencing therapy provides a new avenue for liver fibrosis. This review summarizes recent progresses in research on HSCs, TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 siRNA in liver fibrosis.
