Characterization of the TGF-β antagonistic properties of Ski, SnoN and Smad7 in primary mouse hepatocytes

TGF-β is a profibrotic cytokine that plays a central role in the progression of chronic liver diseases. Since hepatocytes are the predominant liver cell type and are clearly responsive to TGF-β, they may also contribute to fibrogenesis. TGF-β activity is tightly controlled by multiple mechanisms, including antagonism of Smad activities by different co-repressors. Aims: To study the TGF-β pathway in mouse hepatocytes and Hepa1–6 cell line, with special impact on the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further, to investigate the Ski/SnoN/Smad7 interference in hepatocyte specific TGF-β signaling. Metho…