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  • Title: Effects of retinol and hepatocyte-conditioned medium on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells.
    Author: Parkes JG, Templeton DM.
    Journal: Ann Clin Lab Sci; 2003; 33(3):295-305. PubMed ID: 12956445.
    Abstract:
    Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) become activated in liver injury, proliferating and secreting components of connective tissue. Activated HSC lose their native retinol and fat storing capacity. Signals from hepatocytes and/or Kupffer cells injured (eg, by iron overload) may contribute to the so-called activated HSC phenotype. Primary rat HSC cultures were treated with retinol to determine if this could produce a quiescent cell for controlled in vitro studies of activation. Retinol resulted in suppressed DNA synthesis in proliferating HSC, a reorganization of actin filaments, and a return of fat storage. However, it did not suppress the expression of fibrogenic genes such as those for collagens type I and IV, and TGF-beta1. Furthermore, retinol-treated cells may increase expression of these genes in response to conditioned medium from hepatocyte cultures. The effect is especially apparent for collagen type I mRNA, and with conditioned medium from iron-loaded hepatocytes. Thus, retinol may be a two-edged sword in iron overload, potentially suppressing HSC proliferation on the one hand, and sensitizing a fibrogenic pattern of gene expression on the other. Factors influencing this balance merit further study.
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