Objective To investigate the dynamic expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in mice with liver fibrosis and the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) intervention on the expression of EGFR,and to explore a new therapy target for fibrosis.Methods A total of 30 healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into three groups:6 mice in control group,18 mice in hepatic fibrosis group and 6 mice in BMP-7 intervention group.The model of mice with liver fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 12 weeks.After administration of CCl4 for 8 weeks,human recombinant BMP-7 was given into mice in intervention group by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks.Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson staining of liver tissues were employed to observe the pathological changes,and the semi-quantitative analysis of liver fibrosis was performed.Blood withdrawn from inferior vena cava was detected for levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin (Alb).The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)mRNA and TGF-β1,EGFR,phosphorylation EGFR (pEGFR) protein in each group were detected using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Measurement date was compared using analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis.Results The model of mice with liver fibrosis was successfully established.In model group,the serum levels of ALT and AST increased,while the level of Alb decreased gradually.All these biochemical index improved after intervention of BMP-7 (ALT:[153.9±18.1] U/L vs [191.3±24.5] U/L;AST:[177.8±19.2] U/L vs [206.6±25.0] U/L;Alb:[25.4±0.9] g/L vs [22.2±1.2] g/L; all P＜0.05).With the progress of fibrosis,TGF-β1,EGFR and pEGFR protein expressions increased gradually in model group and reached a peak at week 12,which was significantly different compared to the control group (all P＜0.05).In BMP-7 intervention group,the expressions of the three proteins decreased significantly compared to model group (TGF-β1:0.256 ± 0.006 vs 0.287±0.014,EGFR:1.061±0.017 vs 1.094±0.014,pEGFR:0.855±0.053 vs 1.007±0.063;all P＜0.05).Additionally,linear correlation analysis showed that expressions of both EGFR and pEGFR proteins were positively correlated with TGF-β1 protein (rs =0.895 and 0.859,respectively; both P＜0.05).Conclusions BMP-7 can suppress the pathogenesis of mouse liver fibrosis.The mechanism may rely on the regulation of EGFR and TGF-β1 expressions.

Objective To study the expressions of osteopontin (OPN),caspase-3 and mt-P53 proteins, and their relationship in gliomas. Methods Seventy gliomas specimens of patients (glioma group) were selected, and 10 samples of non-glioma brain tissue were used as control group. The SP method was used to detect the positive rates of protein expressions of OPN, caspase-3 and mt-P53 between two groups. The relationship between protein expressions of OPN, caspase-3 and mt-P53 in gliomas and grade of gliomas were detected by Western blot assay. Spearman rank correlation was compared between the positive expression of OPN, caspase-3 and rate mt-P53. Results The positive expression rates of OPN and mt-P53 were significantly higher in glioma group (64.29%and 60%) than those of control group (no positive expression), but the positive expression rate of caspase-3 was significantly lower than that of control group (47.14%vs. 90%, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in OPN, caspase-3 and mt-P53 expressions between different gender, age, tumor size and tumor position (P>0.05). The higher the WHO classification, the higher the positive expression rates of OPN and mt-P53 (P<0.001), and the lower the positive expression rate of caspase-3 (P<0.001). With the increased level of glioma grade, OPN and mt-P53 protein levels were increased, but caspase-3 protein expression level was decreased. There was a negatively correlation between OPN and the positive expression of caspase-3, but there was a positive correlation between OPN and the expression of mt-P53 (rs=-0.720 and 0.722, P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between caspase-3 and mt-P53 expressions (rs=-0.556, P<0.05). Conclusion The higher the WHO classification, the higher the positive expression rates of OPN and mt-P53, while the lower the positive expression rate of caspase-3. The study reveals that OPN, caspase-3 and mt-P53 expressions are associated with the occurrence and the progress of gliomas. The combined detection of them can contribute to the judgment of biological behavior of gliomas.