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. 1989 Jun 1;108(6):2477–2482. doi: 10.1083/jcb.108.6.2477

In vitro and in vivo association of transforming growth factor-beta 1 with hepatic fibrosis

PMCID: PMC2115595  PMID: 2500447

Abstract

Despite extensive efforts, little progress has been made in identifying the factors that induce hepatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factor- beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to enhance collagen production, therefore its role in hepatic fibrosis was investigated. Treatment of cultured hepatic cells with TGF-beta 1 increased type I procollagen mRNA levels 13-fold due to post-transcriptional gene regulation. When two animal models of hepatic fibrosis, murine schistosomiasis and CCl4- treated rats, were examined, they both exhibited increased levels of TGF-beta 1 gene expression at times that somewhat preceded the increase in collagen synthesis. In contrast, in murine schistosomiasis, mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 peaked early in the fibrogenic process. Immunohistochemical analysis showed TGF-beta 1 to be present in normal mouse liver and to be markedly increased in mice infected with schistosomiasis. TGF-beta 1 appeared in the hepatic parenchyma, primarily in hepatocytes. These findings strongly suggest a role for TGF-beta 1 in a pathophysiological state.

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Selected References

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