Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Seven Steps to Stellate Cells
Published on: May 10, 2011
Corticosteroids stimulate selectively transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type III expression in
Lucia Wickert1, Muna Abiaka, Ursula Bolkenius
1Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. wickert@unicum.de
Background/Aims:
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptors mediate TGF-beta signaling in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). This leads to pleiotropic cellular effects, e.g. to the production of extracellular matrix which is a hallmark for the development of liver fibrosis. Glucocorticoids and their receptors interact with the TGF-beta signaling pathway on the transcriptional and translational level.
Methods:
To characterize TGF-beta receptor expression during HSC transdifferentiation and to study the influence of corticosteroids on receptor transcription in several liver cells, we established a real-time polymerase chain reaction procedure for mRNA quantification with gene-specific standards.
Results:
All three TGF-beta receptor mRNAs are present in HSC and myofibroblasts. Whereas TGF beta receptor type I (T beta RI) shows a comparable mRNA expression during HSC transdifferentiation, T beta RII and T beta RIII mRNA concentration decreases in the course of time. In comparison with activated HSC T beta RIII mRNA is very low expressed in freshly isolated Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. Eight hours after corticosteroid treatment T beta RIII mRNA increased significantly in a time-and dose-dependent manner while the mRNA expression of T beta RI and T beta RII is not altered. The degree of induction of T beta RIII mRNA levels is also dependent upon the nature of the stimulating hormone: dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and aldosterone show different effects.
Conclusions:
The increase of T beta RIII by corticosteroids indicates that these hormones are important regulators of this receptor and thereby they can modulate TGF-beta signaling.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
iPS Cell Differentiation
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

