OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Src family kinases (Fgr, Hck, Lyn) and the major protein kinase C substrate SSeCKS in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and determine the possible mechanism regulating differential expression.

METHODSKupffer cells were stimulated with CCL4 and effect on SSeCKS, Hck, Fgr, and Lyn expression was detected by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to create a NASH model by feeing a high fat diet. The modeled rats were divided into a model group and a normal group. After sacrifice, the extent of hepatic steatosis and inflammation was assessed, and the expression levels of SSeCKS and Hck, Fgr, Lyn were detected by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSExpression of Lyn and Hck was decreased in the CCL4-stimulated Kupffer cells and the change in expression level was positively associated with levels of inflammatory stimuli (P < 0.01). The change in expression of SSeCKS in the CCL4-stimulated Kupffer cells was negatively correlated with inflammatory stimuli (P < 0.01). Fgr expression was very low in the unstimulated Kupffer cells and was not affected by the exposure to inflammatory stimuli. The number of inflammatory cells in the liver tissues of rars were negatively correlated with expression of Lyn, Hck and SSeCKS (P < 0.01), with low negative correlation for Lyn (r =-0.398, P < 0.01) and moderate negative correlation for Hck (r=-0.508, P < 0.01); the Lyn and Hck expression levels were highly positively correlated (r =0.942, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSrc family kinases (Lyn, Hck and Fgr) and SSeCKS are involved in development and progression of NASH, and their differential expression patterns are associated to a certain extent. The factors may represent potential targets of therapy for NASH-related inflammation.