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. 2002 Dec 15;368(Pt 3):683–693. doi: 10.1042/BJ20020949

Acetaldehyde stimulates the activation of latent transforming growth factor-beta1 and induces expression of the type II receptor of the cytokine in rat cultured hepatic stellate cells.

Anping Chen 1
PMCID: PMC1223035  PMID: 12223100

Abstract

Acetaldehyde, the major active metabolite of alcohol, induces the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), leading to over-production of alpha1(I) collagen and ultimately causing hepatic fibrosis. The underlying mechanisms of this process remain largely unknown. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent inducer of alpha1(I) collagen production. Accumulating evidence has shown a potential role for TGF-beta1 in alcohol-induced hepatic fibrogenesis. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of acetaldehyde on TGF-beta signalling, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms as well as to evaluate its role in expression of alpha1(I) collagen gene in cultured HSC. It was hypothesized that acetaldehyde activated TGF-beta signalling by inducing the expression of elements in the TGF-beta signal transduction pathway, which might contribute to alpha1(I) collagen gene expression in cultured HSC. Initial results revealed that acetaldehyde activated TGF-beta signalling in cultured HSC. Additional studies demonstrated that acetaldehyde stimulated the secretion and activation of latent TGF-beta1, and induced the expression of the type II TGF-beta receptor (Tbeta-RII). Further experiments found cis - and trans -activating elements responsible for Tbeta-RII gene expression induced by acetaldehyde. Activation of TGF-beta signalling by acetaldehyde contributed to alpha1(I) collagen gene expression in cultured HSC. In summary, this report demonstrated that acetaldehyde stimulated TGF-beta signalling by increasing the secretion and activation of latent TGF-beta1 as well as by inducing the expression of Tbeta-RII in cultured HSC. Results from this report provided a novel insight into mechanisms by which acetaldehyde stimulated the expression of alpha1(I) collagen in HSC and a better understanding of effects of alcohol (or acetaldehyde) on hepatic fibrogenesis.

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