Corticosteroids antagonize TGF-β-Smad signaling in activated hepatic stellate cells

Aims: TGF-β signaling activates hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and promotes the development of liver fibrosis. Recent studies indicate that glucocorticoids and their receptors seem to antagonize TGF-β effects by interacting with the TGF-β-Smad pathway. However, the underlying mechanisms that mediate corticosteroid-TGF-β-interaction in HSC have not been clarified yet, but might be important for their antifibrotic effect. Methods: We studied the influence of corticosteroids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and aldosterone) on TGF-β expression and signaling using adenoviral infection or transfection techniques, real-t…