Mast cells inhibit activation and profibrogenic activities of hepatic stellate cells

Background: Mast cells (MC) have been implicated in the process of fibrosis in different organ systems [1]. Their biological effects are either based on an intimate relationship of MC and fibroblasts via soluble mediators [2, 3] or direct cellular interaction [4, 5]. Methods and Results: A direct co-culture of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) [6] and a murine MC line (L-138.8A) in the presence/absence of IL-3 and/or TGF-β1 was performed. Proteins of the supernatant, the adherent cells (HSC) and the suspension cells (MC) were analyzed by Western blot. In the presence of MC the expression of collagen IV (sup…