[Signal transduction pathway in liver fibrosis regulated by human hepatocyte growth factor].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the changes in the gene expression profiles in HepG2 cells transfected by human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) and analyze the signal transduction pathway in liver fibrosis regulated by hHGF.

METHOD: A 20,000 gene cDNA microarray (Affymetrix) was used to examine the gene expressions in the HepG2 cells transfected by hHGF. The differentially expressed genes were identified and some genes with possible contribution to hepatic fibrosis were subjected to real-time PCR analysis.

RESULT: The differentially expressed genes were mostly transcription regulatory molecules, cytokines, signal transduction, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism. The results of real-time PCR showed up-regulated STAT1 and MAPK1 expression in the cells as were consistent with genechip analysis results.

CONCLUSION

hHGF gene transfection results in the gene expression profile changes in HepG2 cells. HGF may regulate liver fibrosis via the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways.