Effect of Collagen I Gel on Apoptosis of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Abstract

Summary: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are a major source of fibrous proteins in cirrhotic liver. Inducing or accelerating their apoptosis is a potential way of liver fibrosis treatment. Extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells in tissue affects their differentiation, migration, proliferation and function. Type I collagen is the main ECM component in fibrotic liver. We have examined how this protein modifies apoptosis of normal rat HSC induced by gliotoxin, cycloheximide and cytochalasin D in vitro and spontaneous apoptosis of HSC isolated from CCl 4 -damaged liver. We have found that type I collagen gel enhances HSC apoptosis regardless of the agent triggering this process.

Moringa oleifera Inhibits Liver Fibrosis Progression by Inhibition of α-Smooth Muscle Actin, Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases-1, and Collagen-1 in Rat Model Liver Fibrosis

“…Collagen is produced by active HSCs (a-HSCs) and is partly responsible for HSC survival. Increased expression of collagen contributes to apoptosis-resistant a-HSC [20]. This study proves that in liver fibrosis conditions (PC), there is an increase in collagen-1 expression.…”