Effect of retinoid kappa receptor alpha (RXRalpha) transfection on the proliferation and phenotype of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.
- Author:
Hua LI
1
;
Jinsheng ZHANG
;
Guangcun HUANG
;
Nong ZHANG
;
Qi CHEN
;
Xiurong ZHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Liver; cytology; Liver Cirrhosis; etiology; Male; Phenotype; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Retinoic Acid; genetics; physiology; Retinoid X Receptors; Transcription Factors; genetics; physiology; Transfection
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2002;115(6):928-932
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the effect of retinoid kappa receptor alpha (RXRalpha) transfection plus treatment with the RXRalpha ligand, 9-cis-RA, on the proliferation and phenotype of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).
METHODSPDGF activated rat hepatic stellate cells were transfected with eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1- human RXRalpha, and confirmed by Western blot. Proliferation of transfected HSC was assayed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation as well as MTT, and the phenotype (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin) was observed by immunocytochemistry with image analysis.
RESULTSTransfection of the RXRalpha gene and treatment with ligand 9-cis-RA of PDGF-activated HSCs extended the increased expression of RXRalpha protein for at least 168 hours. Cell proliferation and expressions of alpha- smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and desmin were blocked, compared with groups of sham-transfected, PDGF-activated, no transfection, no ligand treatment, and irrelevant ligand treated HSCs.
CONCLUSIONTransfection with the RXRalpha gene followed by 9-cis-RA ligand treatment will inhibit the proliferation and reverse the phenotype of activated HSC.
