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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Seven Steps to Stellate Cells
Published on: May 10, 2011
[The role of hepatic stellate cells SSeCKS expression in liver fibrosis]
Wen Jiang1, Lei Song, Jian-Guo Shao
1Department of Gastroenterology, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Nantong 226006, China. jwntsy@126.com
Objective:
To investigate the change and effect of SSeCKS (src suppressed c kinase substrates) in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).
Methods:
HSCs were isolated from normal rats, the change of SSeCKS mRNA expression on HSCs culture in vitro was determined using real-time PCR, protein level was determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence methods. A rat model of liver fibrosis was established. The expression and location of SSeCKS and alpha-SMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin) in liver tissues were detected by immunofluorescence methods.
Results:
SSeCKS mRNA expression was low in freshly isolated HSCs cell and the expression increased in activated HSCs in vitro. In liver fibrosis tissue, the number of SSeCKS-positive cells was increased and these cells were distributed along the sinusoids which also contained alpha-SMA positive cells.
Conclusion:
The expression of SSeCKS was increased in activated HSCs in vitro. Therefore, SSeCKS may be involved in the liver inflammation and fibrosis.
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