Relationship between somatostatin receptors and activation of hepatic stellate cells.
- Author:
Qin PAN
1
;
Ding-Guo LI
;
Han-Ming LU
;
Liang-Yong LU
;
Han-Ning YOU
;
Qin-Fang XU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Liver; cytology; metabolism; Liver Cirrhosis; etiology; Male; RNA, Messenger; analysis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Somatostatin; genetics
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2004;117(11):1665-1669
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDSomafostatin receptors (SSTRs) have been suggested to involve in mediating the effect of somatostatin on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in an activation-dependent way. We, therefore, try to investigate the relationship between expression of SSTRs and activation of rat HSCs.
METHODSHSCs were isolated from rats by in situ perfusion and single-step density gradient centrifugation. SSTR1-5 mRNA levels in the differentiated first passage HSCs were detected by means of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. On the other hand, hepatic fibrosis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by carbon tetrachloride intoxication, and the expression of SSTR1-5 in normal as well as fibrotic livers was measured by immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTSSSTR mRNA and SSTR could not be found in freshly isolated rat HSCs or normal rat liver. However, SSTR1-3 mRNA appeared as HSCs became wholly activated, and could also be identified on the membrane of activated HSCs in the perisinusoid space, fibrous septa, etc.
CONCLUSIONThe expression of SSTR1-3 in the rat HSC is closely related to its activation. This may reflect one of the main negative regulation mechanisms in the course of HSC activation.