Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Seven Steps to Stellate Cells
Published on: May 10, 2011
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 induces activation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells in
Li-Xin Liu1, Shuai Huang, Qian-Qian Zhang
1Institute of Liver Disease of Shanxi Medical University, Mailbox 206, 56 Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China. lixinl6@yahoo.com
Aim:
To investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP-7) in the activation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro.
Methods:
Rat HSC-T6 cells were cultured in separate dishes and treated with various concentration of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), IGFBP-7 or anti-IGFBP-7 antibody for 24 h. The supernatant or a cytoplasm suspension was obtained from cultured HSC, followed by transfer of cells to form cell-coated dishes. Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of IGFBP-7 induced by TGF-beta(1) and the level of fibronectin, collagen I and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). The pro-apoptotic effect of anti-IGFBP-7 antibody was determined by flow cytometry.
Results:
Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting revealed that the expression of IGFBP-7 in TGF-beta(1) treated HSC was significantly up-regulated compared to that in the control group. In addition, fibronectin, collagen I and alpha-SMA also showed enhanced expression in accordance with the transdifferentiation process in a dose-dependent manner to some extent. Moreover, flow cytometry suggested that anti-IGFBP-7 antibody induced apoptosis of activated HSC, which is responsible for the development of liver fibrosis, and may represent a novel pathway and target for therapeutic intervention.
Conclusion:
IGFBP-7 showed increased expression in activated HSC and played an important role in the activation and transdifferentiation process of HSC. Anti-IGFBP-7 antibody may ameliorate liver fibrogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
iPS Cell Differentiation
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Cell Specific Gene Expression
