Effect of transforming growth factor-β1 antibody on type I collagen and inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 gene expression in hepatic stellate cells

Objective To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) antibody on fibrotic collagen and inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods Rat HSC-T6 cells were subcultured to a 6-well plate. Normal control group, TGF-β1 (1 μg/L) group, TGF-β1 antibody groups which interfered by TGF-β1 with different dilutions (1∶100, 1∶200, 1∶400, 1∶800) were set up. Cells were collected 24 h later. Type Ⅰ collagen and TIMP-1 gene expression levels were detected by quantitative analysis of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Type Ⅰ collagen and TIMP-1 gene expression levels in TGF-β1 group were both significantly higher than those in normal control group (0.740±0.048 vs. 0.405±0.063, P=0.004, 0.925±0.051 vs. 0.613±0.068, P=0.003). In TGF-β1 antibody 1∶100 group, type Ⅰ collagen and TIMP-1 gene expression levels started to descend as compared with those in TGF-β1 group (0.557±0.047 vs. 0.740±0.048, P=0.005, 0.703±0.063 vs. 0.925±0.051, P=0.004), but they were still higher than those in normal control group (P=0.008; P=0.008). In the TGF-β1 antibody 1∶200, 1∶400, 1∶800 groups, type Ⅰ collagen and TIMP-1 gene expression levels had no significant difference from those in the TGF-β1 group (P=0.086, P=0.112, P=0.137, P=0.069, P=0.097, P=0.128). Conclusion TGF-β1 could promote the gene expression levels of type Ⅰ collagen and TIMP-1. TGF-β1 antibody with1∶100 could inhibit them to some extent. Key words: Hepatic stellate cells; Transforming growth factor-β1; Extracelluler matrix; Tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase