Cirrhotic hepatocytes exhibit decreased TGFβ growth inhibition associated with downregulated Smad protein expression

Patricia A. Lange, Charles M. Samson, Mark A. Bird, Melissa A. Hayden, Kevin E. Behrns

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

TGFβ controls hepatocyte growth through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and resistance to TGFβ is a mechanism of malignant transformation. The aim of this study was to assess differences in TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition in normal and cirrhotic hepatocytes. Cirrhosis was induced in mice and normal and cirrhotic hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion and treated with or without TGFβ (5ng/ml). DNA synthesis, Smad protein expression, and DNA binding activity were determined. TGFβ reduced DNA synthesis to a greater degree in normal hepatocytes than in cirrhotic hepatocytes (87% vs. 68%; p<0.05). Smad protein expression was decreased in cirrhotic hepatocytes and Smad 2/3/4 complex formation was suppressed. Furthermore, cirrhotic hepatocytes had decreased DNA binding activity at 120min following TGFβ treatment. In conclusion, decreased Smad protein expression may impair TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition in cirrhotic hepatocytes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)546-551
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume313
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 16 2004

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