The antifibrotic effect of TGF-beta1 siRNAs in murine model of liver cirrhosis

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 May 19;343(4):1072-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.03.087. Epub 2006 Mar 23.

Abstract

Liver fibrosis results from chronic damage to the liver by chronic hepatitis, alcohol, and toxic agents. A characteristic of liver fibrosis is an accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, which distorts the hepatic architecture by forming a fibrous scar, and the subsequent development of regenerating nodules defines cirrhosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, one of the most powerful profibrogenic mediators, plays a major role in the development of liver cirrhosis and regulates ECM gene expression and matrix degradation. This study elucidates the changes of TGF-beta1-mediated signals during liver fibrogenesis by using RNA interference. In this experiment, the TGF-beta1 siRNAs reduced the expression of TGF-beta1 in the livers of CCl(4) injection compared with those of control group, and the expression of type I collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin was decreased. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that TGF-beta1 siRNAs inhibit TGF-beta1 expression in the murine model of liver cirrhosis and might be a good therapeutic strategy to prevent liver cirrhosis in human.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / metabolism
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / pathology
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / physiology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Substances

  • Actins
  • Collagen Type I
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TGFB1 protein, human
  • Tgfb1 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1