Electroporative α-MSH gene transfer attenuates thioacetamide-induced murine hepatic fibrosis by MMP and TIMP modulation

C. H. Wang, T. H. Lee, C. N. Lu, W. Y. Chou, K. S. Hung, A. M. Concejero, B. Jawan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Hepatic fibrosis represents a process of healing and scarring in response to chronic liver injury. α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a 13-amino-acid peptide with potent anti-inflammatory effects. We have previously demonstrated that α-MSH gene therapy protects against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver failure. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether α-MSH gene therapy possesses antihepatic fibrogenic effect. Liver fibrosis was induced by long-term TAA administration in mice. α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone expression plasmid was delivered via electroporation after liver fibrosis was established. Our results showed that α-MSH gene therapy attenuated liver fibrosis in TAA-treated mice. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that α-MSH gene therapy attenuated the liver transforming growth factor-β1, collagen α1 and cell adhesion molecule mRNA upregulation. Following gene transfer, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and cyclooxygenase-2 were both significantly attenuated. Further, α-MSH significantly increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), while tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs) were inactivated. In summary, α-MSH gene therapy reversed established liver fibrosis in mice and prevented the upregulated fibrogenic and pro-inflammatory gene responses after TAA administration. Its collagenolytic effect might be attributed to MMP and TIMP modulation. Hence, α-MSH gene therapy may be an effective therapeutic modality against liver fibrosis with potential clinical use.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1000-1009
Number of pages10
JournalGene Therapy
Volume13
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Liver fibrosis
  • Matrix metalloproteinase
  • Thioacetamide
  • α-MSH

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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