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Effect of collagen I gel on apoptosis of rat hepatic stellate cells

Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové |
2013

Abstract

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 CCl4-damaged liver. We have found that type I collagen gel enhances HSC apoptosis regardless of the agent triggering this process.