IL-13 induces connective tissue growth factor in rat hepatic stellate cells via TGF- independent Smad signaling
Y Liu, C Meyer, A Mueller, F Herweck, Q Li, R Muellenbach, PR Mertens, S Dooley, H Weng · Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie · 2011 · Heft 01
Bibliografische Angaben
Zusammenfassung
Aims: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a central role in stimulating extracellular matrix deposition in the liver, and hence is considered as a critical mediator of TGF-β dependent fibrogenesis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known as the major source of CTGF. However, previous studies revealed that IL-13, rather than TGF-beta, represents the main inducer of CTGF expression in HSCs. Methods: We evaluate the effect of IL-13 on CTGF expression in primary cultured HSCs. We also investigated how IL-13 downstream signaling modulates CTGF expression in HSCs. Results: IL-13 induces a time- and dosage-dep…
