Effects of tumor necrosis factor α on morphology and the expression of connective tissue growth factor in hepatic stellate cells

Objective To observe the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on morphology and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC),and explore the mechanism.Methods HSCs were cultured in vitro and treated with TNF-α or TGF-β1.The morphological changes of HSCs were observed and the expression of CTGF in HSC was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Both TNF-α and TGF-β1 could stimulate the expression of CTGF mRNA in HSC.The expression of CTGF was detectable in HSC after treatment with TNF-α (10 μg/L) for 6,24 and 48 h.TGF-β1 could induce the CTGF expression just after 4 h of treatment at 1 μg/L concentration.Conclusion TNF-α-induced the CTGF expression in HSC may be the mechanisms involving in the liver flbrosis.