Expression of FAP and MMP-1 in mouse hepatic fibrosis and the relationship between FAP and MMP-1

Objective To investigate the expression of fibroblast activation protein(FAP) and matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) in mouse hepatic fibrosis and the relationship between FAP and MMP-1,and the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis involved in them.Methods Experimental hepatic fibrosis model was induced by carbon tetrachloride.The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by HE and Masson's trichrome staining,and the dynamic expression of FAP and MMP-1 were detected by immunohistochemical technique in mouse hepatic fibrosis tissue.Results The expression of FAP and MMP-1 had the same location and extent in model group,especially in the fibroblasts of portal area and fibrous septa in mouse hepatic fibrosis tissue.The immunoreactivities of FAP and MMP-1 were positively correlated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis(r=0.672,0.684,P0.0001).Moreover,the expression of FAP had a positive correlation with MMP-1 in hepatic fibrosis tissue(r=0.828,P0.0001).Conclusion FAP and MMP-1 may play synergistic roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM) and the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs),and play important roles in the development of hepatic fibrosis.