肝纤维化大鼠转化生长因子β1/Smad蛋白的动态表达及意义

目的 探讨转化生长因子TGF-β1/Smad信号通路在实验性肝纤维化发生中的作用.方法 50只健康雄性SD大鼠分为2组:正常组和模型组,模型组大鼠利用40％ CCl4油剂诱导形成肝纤维化模型,于6周及9周观测肝标本的病理,免疫组化法检测肝组织TGF-β1/Smad蛋白表达.结果 ①肝组织病理:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠肝组织都有不同程度的炎症和纤维化产生.模型组纤维化程度较正常对照组明显,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);②TGF-β1/Smad基因蛋白:免疫组织化学检测显示,与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠肝脏中TGF-β1、转化生长因子βⅠ型受体(TβR-Ⅰ)、Smad2/3、Smad7蛋白表达均显著增强(P＜0.01),模型组大鼠肝脏TGF-β1、TβR-Ⅰ、Smad2/3和Smad7之间存在正相关关系(P ＜0.05或0.01);模型组大鼠肝脏纤维化分级与TGF-β1、TβR-Ⅰ、Smad2/3和Smad7之间存在正相关关系(P＜0.05或0.01).结论 肝组织TGF-β1/Smad蛋白表达水平与肝纤维化程度相关,TGF-β1/Smad信号的增强可能促进了肝纤维化的进展.     

TGF-β/Smad信号通路在肝纤维化中的研究进展

转化生长因子β (Transforming Growth Factor-β,TGF-β) 信号通路在调节细胞进程中起着至关重要的作用。就肝脏而言,TGF-β信号通路贯穿肝脏疾病始终,即从最初的肝细胞损伤到炎症、纤维化、肝硬化直至癌症发生。TGF-β导致肝星状细胞活化为成纤维细胞,并促使大量肝细胞死亡,促进了肝纤维化向肝硬化发展,而过度激活的TGF-β信号与肝癌发展密切相关。在本综述中,作者将阐述TGF-β/Smad信号通路在肝纤维化进程中的作用机制,以及目前在实验和临床诊治方面通过TGF-β信号通路靶向治疗肝脏疾病取得的新进展。以期为研究肝纤维化提供新的论据。     

微小RNA-23b-3p通过靶向TGFBR3促进人心房肌成纤维细胞纤维化相关基因表达

目的:探究微小RNA-23b-3p(mi R-23b-3p)对人心房肌成纤维细胞中纤维化相关基因表达的作用及其可能作用靶基因。方法:分离并体外培养房颤患者心耳中原代心房肌成纤维细胞,并用细胞免疫荧光染色实验鉴定;双萤光素酶报告基因实验检测mi R-23b-3p与潜在靶基因转化生长因子β受体3(TGFBR3) 3'端非翻译区(3'-UTR)的结合作用; CCK-8、Ed U染色及Transwell实验检测细胞活力、增殖及迁移能力,RT-qPCR和Western blot法检测TGFBR3及纤维化相关基因的m RNA和蛋白表达。结果:在人心房肌成纤维细胞中过表达mi R-23b-3p不影响细胞的活力、增殖及迁移能力,但可显著增强细胞中纤维化相关基因COL1A1、COL3A1和ACTA2的表达(P 0. 05或P 0. 01)。双萤光素酶报告基因实验显示mi R-23b-3p与TGFBR3 3'-UTR有结合作用。RT-qPCR和Western blot结果证实mi R-23b-3p可在转录水平抑制TGFBR3表达。过表达mi R-23b-3p和沉默TGFBR3均能显著促进人心房肌成纤维细胞中Smad3激活和纤维化相关基因表达(P 0. 05或P 0. 01)。结论:TGFBR3是mi R-23b-3p的作用靶基因,并介导mi R-23b-3p促进心房肌成纤维细胞中纤维化相关基因表达。     

复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清对大鼠肝星形细胞内TβRⅠ和Smad-3蛋白表达的影响实验研究

目的观察复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清对大鼠肝星形细胞(HSCs)内TβRⅠ和Smad3蛋白表达的影响,从信号转导上游受体水平和受体后信号转导水平探讨药物血清抗肝纤维化的作用机制。方法运用免疫细胞化学和图像分析技术,在离体对不同时相,不同浓度复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清干预状态下,HSC内TβRⅠ和Smad3蛋白的表达进行半定量分析。结果复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清可明显下调HSC表达TβRⅠ及抑制HSC表达Smad3蛋白。结论复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清通过下调TβRⅠ的表达,进而干预Smad3介导的TGF-β1在HSC内的信号转导,最终抑制胶原蛋白、纤黏连蛋白的合成,从而达到抑制HSC活化的抗肝纤维化作用,这可能是复方鳖甲软肝方药物血清抗肝纤维化作用机制之一。     

白屈菜红碱对肝纤维化小鼠TGF-β/Smads信号通路的影响

目的:探讨白屈菜红碱对四氯化碳(CCl_4)诱导的肝纤维化损伤小鼠的保护作用及对转化生长因子β(TGF-β)/Smads信号通路的影响。方法:50只C57BL/6N小鼠随机分成正常对照组、模型组及白屈菜红碱低剂量(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、中剂量(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))和高剂量(40 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))3个剂量组,每组10只。采用腹腔注射CCl_4和橄榄油混合液8周诱导小鼠肝纤维化模型,白屈菜红碱组于第5周开始灌胃给药。第14周后处死小鼠,观察白屈菜红碱各剂量组干预后小鼠的肝指数,苏木精-伊红染色和苦味酸-酸性品红染色法观察小鼠肝组织的病理改变及肝纤维化的程度;采用分光光度计和酶标仪测定血清中天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、透明质酸(HA)和肝组织中羟脯氨酸(Hyp)的含量;RT-q PCR检测TGF-β1、Smad3、Smad4和Smad7的mRNA表达;Western blot检测TGF-β1、Smad4和Smad7的蛋白表达。结果:与正常对照组比较,模型组肝纤维化的病理改变明显,肝指数、AST、ALT、HA和Hyp均显著升高(P0.05);TGF-β1、Smad3和Smad4的mRNA表达显著上调,Smad7的mRNA表达显著下调(P0.05);TGF-β1和Smad4的蛋白表达显著上调,Smad7的蛋白表达显著下调(P0.05);与模型组比较,白屈菜红碱不同剂量给药组均抑制上述指标的改变(P0.05)。结论:白屈菜红碱能够抑制CCl_4诱导的小鼠肝纤维化,其机制可能与TGF-β/Smads信号通路有关。     

肝纤维化大鼠转化生长因子β1／Smad蛋白的动态表达及意义

目的探讨转化生长因子TGF—β1／Smad信号通路在实验性肝纤维化发生中的作用。方法50只健康雄性SD大鼠分为2组：正常组和模型组,模型组大鼠利用40％CCl4油剂诱导形成肝纤维化模型,于6周及9周观测肝标本的病理,免疫组化法检测肝组织TGF—β1／Smad蛋白表达。结果①肝组织病理：与正常组比较,模型组大鼠肝组织都有不同程度的炎症和纤维化产生。模型组纤维化程度较正常对照组明显,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;②TGF—β1／Smad基因蛋白：免疫组织化学检测显示,与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠肝脏中TGF—β1、转化生长因子βI型受体（TβR—I）、Smad2、3、Smad,蛋白表达均显著增强（P〈0．01）,模型组大鼠肝脏TGF—β1、TβR-I、Smad。和Smad,之间存在正相关关系（P〈0．05或0．01）;模型组大鼠肝脏纤维化分级与TGF—β1、TβR—I、Smad2/3和Smad,之间存在正相关关系（P〈0．05或0．01）。结论肝组织TGF—β1／Smad蛋白表达水平与肝纤维化程度相关,TGF-β1／Smad信号的增强可能促进了肝纤维化的进展。     

肝卵圆细胞对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织TGF-β/Smad信号通路的影响

目的:探讨肝卵圆细胞(HOCs)对肝纤维化(HF)大鼠肝组织TGF-β/Smad信号通路蛋白表达的影响。方法:采用CCl4和复方因素制备HF大鼠模型,取模型组大鼠分离纯化HOCs,从门静脉植入HF大鼠肝组织内,连续观察30d,同时以五灵胶囊为阳性对照。在植入后8d、15d、23d、30d各组大鼠尾静脉采血,酶法测定血清天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT),实验结束取肝组织Masson染色观察肝组织形态学变化,Western blotting检测肝组织Ⅰ型胶原(Col-Ⅰ)、丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶(ERK)、磷酸化丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶(p-ERK)、转化生长因子β受体Ⅰ(TβRI)、转化生长因子β受体Ⅱ(TβRⅡ)、果蝇MAD类似基因2/3(Smad2/3)、果蝇MAD类似基因7(Smad7)蛋白的表达。结果:HOCs植入组与五灵胶囊组在植入后15d、23d、30dAST、ALT水平显著降低;肝组织胶原纤维增生程度明显减轻;肝组织表达ERK、p-ERK、TβRI、TβRⅡ蛋白作用显著降低,表达Smad7的作用显著增加。结论:植入HOCs可阻止大鼠HF的进展,其作用机制可能与其抑制肝组织内TGF-β/Smad信号通路p-ERK、TβRⅠ、TβRⅡ蛋白的表达有关。     

丹参素对肝星状细胞TGF-β信号转导的影响

目的： 观察丹参素对转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）诱导活化的大鼠肝星状细胞(HSCs)Smad信号转导通路的影响。方法：体外分离、培养大鼠肝HSCs,用不同浓度丹参素作用于HSCs,检测丹参素对HSCs增殖和TGF-β1刺激后HSCs增殖的影响;观察丹参素对TGF-β1刺激HSCs表达α-SMA的影响;观察HSCs转化生长因子受体(TβRⅠ、Ⅱ)的表达;观察丹参素和TGF-β1作用HSCs后,其Smad2、Smad3、Smad7 mRNA表达的变化。结果：(1)丹参素在0.0625 mmol/L-1 mmol/L时,对HSCs的生长增殖具有抑制作用 (P<0.05);丹参素对TGF-β1诱导的HSCs增殖也具有明显的抑制作用 (P<0.05)。(2)丹参素0.25 mmol/ L作用HSCs能下调α-SMA的表达(P<0.05),也能下调TGF-β1诱导的HSCs的α-SMA表达(P<0.05)。（3）HSCs中TβRⅠ、Ⅱ的表达定位于细胞膜上,丹参素能下调活化HSCs中TβRⅠ、Ⅱ的表达（P<0.05或P<0.01）。 (4) TGF-β1促进HSCs中Smad2、Smad3、Smad7 mRNA的表达（P<0.01）;丹参素能下调TGF-β1诱导的HSCs内Smad2、Smad3 mRNA的表达(P<0.05),并能上调Smad7 mRNA表达(P<0.05)。 结论：体外细胞实验表明,丹参素能通过下调活化HSCs细胞膜上TβRⅠ、Ⅱ蛋白的表达来抑制HSCs的活化增殖。丹参素能上调HSCs内Smad7 mRNA表达,并下调Smad2、Smad3 mRNA表达,抑制HSCs活化,并抑制TGF-β1诱导的HSCs活化。     

丹酚酸B对活化的系膜细胞TGF-β_1受体和Smad2表达的影响

目的:通过观察丹酚酸B对活化的系膜细胞转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)受体和Sma与Mad的同源基因2(Smad2)分子表达的影响,探讨丹酚酸B拮抗系膜细胞活化及肾纤维化的机制。方法:分离纯化大鼠肾小球系膜细胞,TGF-β1刺激建立系膜细胞活化模型并检测Smad2、Smad7信号分子表达。丹酚酸B(剂量分别为10-6mol/L、10-5mol/L)进行干预,免疫荧光及蛋白印记法观察对α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的影响,蛋白免疫印迹法检测系膜细胞TGF-β1两型受体(TβRⅠ、TβRⅡ)和Smad2信号分子表达的变化。结果:5μg/L TGF-β1刺激系膜细胞24h可成功制备系膜细胞活化模型,在系膜细胞活化早期即可见Smad2分子的显著磷酸化;10-6mol/L、10-5mol/L丹酚酸B均可明显抑制其活化标志蛋白α-SMA的表达;丹酚酸B干预可致系膜细胞TGF-β1两型受体表达减少,Smad2的磷酸化状态被抑制。结论:丹酚酸B可通过抑制大鼠肾小球系膜细胞TβRⅠ、TβRⅡ表达和信号分子Smad2的磷酸化而拮抗其活化,这可能是丹酚酸B抗肾纤维化的细胞学机制之一。     

miR-146a介导PI3K/Akt信号通路抑制肝星状细胞诱导的肝纤维化

目的探讨微小RNA(miR)-146a在转化生长因子-β1 (TGF-β1)诱导的肝星状细胞活化中的作用,并通过磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/丝氨酸-苏氨酸蛋白激酶(Akt)通路观察其对肝纤维化的影响。方法采用四氯化碳(CC1_4)建立肝纤维化大鼠模型,检测大鼠血清透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)和Ⅰ型胶原(Ⅰ-C)水平,Masson染色观察肝组织病变,实时定量聚合酶链反应(Real-time PCR)检测肝组织miR-146a表达,蛋白免疫印迹实验(Westem blot)检测肝组织α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、PI3K和磷酸化(P)-Akt蛋白表达。HSC (肝星状细胞)-T6细胞分为Normal组、TGF-β1组、TGF-β1+miR-NC组和TGF-β1+miR-M组。TGF-β1+miR-NC组和TGF-β1+miR-M组分别转染miR-146a mimics阴性对照物和miR-146a mimics,然后除Normal组外,其余各组采用TGF-β1诱导HSC-T6细胞。四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法观察细胞增殖情况,Real-time PCR法检测miR-146a表达,Western blot法检测α-SMA、Ⅲ-C、Ⅰ-C、PI3K和p-Akt蛋白表达。结果与正常组比较,模型组大鼠肝组织胶原沉积明显增加,纤维增生显著;血清HA、LN、PCⅢ和Ⅳ-C水平显著升高;肝组织miR-146a表达明显降低;而PI3K和P-Akt蛋白表达明显增加。TGF-β1组和TGF-β1+miR-NC组HSC-T6细胞各指标差异均无统计学意义。与TGF-β1+miR-NC组比较,TGF-β1+miR-M组miR-14表达明显增加,细胞活性、α-SMA表达、Ⅲ-C和Ⅰ-C均明显降低,PI3K和P-Akt蛋白表达明显下调。结论 miR-146a能够抑制TGF-β1诱导的肝星状细胞活化,其抗肝纤维化机制可能与抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路有关。     

miR-144 regulates transforming growth factor-β1 iduced hepatic stellate cell activation in human fibrotic liver

Objectives: Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into collagen producing myofibroblasts is critical for pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is one of the main profibrogenic mediators for HSC transdifferentiation. Recent studies have shown effect of microRNAs (miRNAs) on regulating TGF-β1-induced HSC activation during liver fibrosis. Here, we aimed to explore the roles of miR-144 and miR-200c in human liver fibrosis. Methods: Expression of TGF-β1 was detected in 42 fibrotic and 18 normal human liver tissues by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, and its correlation with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was calculated. miR-144 and miR-200c expression level in fibrotic liver tissues were also detected by qRT-PCR. The correlation of TGF-β1 expression with miR-200c and miR-144 in the fibrotic liver was analyzed. Results: The results showed that TGF-β1 expression was much higher in fibrotic liver than that in normal liver tissues (P<0.05). TGF-β1 protein high expressing liver fibrosis showed α-SMA positive cells in the liver parenchyma indicating activated HSCs. Expression of TGF-β1 in fibrotic liver was significantly correlated with α-SMA expression (R=0.633, P<0.001). Furthermore, miR-144 was less expressed in liver fibrosis (P<0.05) and was significantly correlated with expression of TGF-β1 in fibrotic liver tissues (R=-0.442, P<0.01). However, miR-200c did not show significant difference between normal and fibrotic liver (P=0.48) and correlation with TGF-β1 expression (R=0.106, P=0.51). Conclusion: All the results indicate that miR-144 can be a novel regulator of TGF-β1-induced HSC activation during liver fibrosis.     

Suppression of hedgehog signaling regulates hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen secretion

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an important role in liver fibrosis. This study investigates the expression of hedgehog in HSC and the role of hedgehog signaling on activation and collagen secretion of HSC. Liver ex vivo perfusion with collagenase IV and density gradient centrifugation were used to isolate HSC. Expression of hedgehog signaling components Ihh, Smo, Ptc, Gli2 and Gli3 in HSC were detected by RT-PCR. Hedgehog siRNA vectors targeting Ihh, Smo and Gli2 were constructed and transfected into HSC respectively. Suppression of hedgehog signaling were detected by SYBR Green fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Effects of hedgehog signaling inhibition on HSC activation and collagen I secretion were analyzed. Hedgehog signaling components Ihh, Smo, Ptc, Gli2 and Gli3 were expressed in HSC. siRNA vectors targeting Ihh, Smo and Gli2 were successfully constructed and decreased target gene expression. Suppression of hedgehog signaling significantly decreased the expression of α-SMA in HSC (P<0.01). Collagen type I secretion of HSC were also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In summary, HSC activation and collagen secretion can be regulated by hedgehog signaling. Hedgehog may play a role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.     

大黄酸通过抑制miR-21而干预TGF-β1/Smad通路并减轻博莱霉素所致大鼠肺纤维化

目的:观察大黄酸(rhein,RH)对博莱霉素所致肺纤维化大鼠微小RNA-21(miR-21)表达以及转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)/Smad通路的影响。方法:博莱霉素一次性气管内注射复制大鼠肺纤维化模型,随机分为RH低、中、高剂量组及模型(model)组;正常对照组大鼠气管内注射生理盐水。用药28 d后,HE染色观察各组大鼠肺组织形态学的变化;测定肺系数、肺组织羟脯氨酸含量;real-time PCR检测肺组织中miR-21和TGF-β1/Smad7m RNA表达;Western blot法分析TGF-β1和Smad7蛋白的表达。结果:与model组相比,RH用药组大鼠的肺泡炎及肺纤维化程度有明显降低,肺系数及肺组织羟脯氨酸含量也显著减少,肺组织中miR-21表达下降,TGF-β1的m RNA和蛋白表达水平也明显下降,Smad7的mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显增高(P0.05)。结论:RH抗肺纤维化的作用可能与抑制miR-21的表达,从而干预TGF-β1/Smad信号通路,减少细胞外基质沉积有关。     

MiR-34c promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and Liver Fibrogenesis by suppressing ACSL1 expression

Normally, there are multiple microRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In our work, we aimed at identifying the role of miR-34c in the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver fibrosis and its potential mechanism. Our results have shown that during natural activation of HSC, the level of miR-34c was increased significantly whereas acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member-1(ACSL1), which is a key enzyme can affect fatty acid(FA) synthesis, was decreased. A double fluorescence reporter assay further confirmed that ACSL1 is a direct target gene of miR-34c. Moreover, the inhibition of miR-34C can attenuate the synthesis of collagen in HSC-T6. In our rescue assay, ACSL1 expression was 1.49-fold higher compared to normal control cells which were transfected with the miR-34c inhibitor in a stable low expression ACSL1 cell line. While at the same time, α-SMA and Col1α expression decreased by 18.22% and 2.58%, respectively. Moreover, we performed an in vivo model using dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in conjunction with the miR-34c agomir, combined with the treatment of DMN and the miR-34c agomir can increase liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, the degree of hepatic fibrosis was increased and lipid droplets reduced dramatically in rats and HSC-T6 cell treated with miR-34c mimics alone compared to untreated groups. Our results indicate that miR-34c plays an essential role in liver fibrosis by targeting ACSL1 closely associated with lipid droplets, and it might be used as a potential therapeutic target.     

上调miR-181a抑制香烟提取物诱导的支气管上皮细胞致炎因子生成与collagen IV、fibronectin和α-SMA表达

目的:探讨微小RNA-181a(miR-181a)对香烟提取物(cigarette smoke extract,CSE)诱导的人支气管上皮细胞(human bronchial epithelial cells, HBECs)致炎因子生成与IV型胶原蛋白(collagen IV)、纤连蛋白(fibronectin)和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)表达的影响,并分析其可能的机制。方法:RT-qPCR检测CSE诱导下HBECs中miR-181a的表达情况。转染miR-181a mimic后经ELISA检测肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、IL-6和转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)的水平;Western blot检测collagen IV、fibronectin和α-SMA的表达;并进一步评估NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路的活性。结果:CSE可显著增加HBECs中致炎症因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和TGF-β1的生成,显著上调collagen IV、fibronectin和α-SMA的表达,同时细胞内miR-181a的表达明显降低(P0.05);转染miR-181a mimic可显著抑制CSE诱导的HBECs致炎因子生成及collagen IV、fibronectin和α-SMA表达(P0.05)。此外,Western blot的结果显示转染miR-181a mimic可抑制CSE诱导的NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3信号活性(P0.05)。结论:上调miR-181a表达可部分逆转CSE诱导的HBECs致炎因子的释放及collagen IV、fibronectin和α-SMA表达,其作用机制可能与抑制NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路的活化有关。     

乙型肝炎病毒对肝内TGF-β1/Smads信号通路的作用

 目的：探讨乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）对肝内TGF-β1蛋白表达及Smads信号通路的作用,为制定慢性乙肝肝纤维化临床治疗策略提供理论依据。方法：(1)运用免疫组化PV-6000法检测对照组和慢性乙肝组肝组织中TGF-β1、HBsAg和HBcAg的表达,并采用荧光定量PCR法测定慢性乙肝患者血清HBV DNA含量。(2)应用体外细胞培养技术培养HBV刺激的人肝星状细胞系LX-2细胞,Western blotting方法测定其细胞内TGF-β1、Smad3和Smad7的蛋白表达。结果：(1)慢性乙肝组肝组织内TGF-β1的表达高于对照组（P＜0.01）;肝内TGF-β1表达水平与血清HBV DNA含量呈正相关（P＜0.01）,且HBcAg阳性肝组织水平较高（P＜0.01）。(2)体外细胞学实验中,HBV刺激组LX-2细胞内TGF-β1和Smad3蛋白含量高于对照组和HBV+抗-TGF-β1组（P＜0.01）;Smad7蛋白表达差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：(1)TGF-β1在慢性乙肝患者肝组织中的表达与血清HBV DNA含量及肝内HBcAg的表达有关。(2)在TGF-β1/Smads信号通路中,HBV致纤维化作用机制以Smad3的正性调控为主,Smad7的作用不明显。     

Down-regulation of tTG expression by RNAi inhibits HSC proliferation and attenuates liver fibrosis

Purpose: Expressed in hepatic stellate cell (HSC), tTG is involved in fibrotic diseases including human hepatic fibrosis by promoting the cross-linking of ECM and participating in the initiation and/or progression of liver fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to identify whether depletion of tTG could attenuate liver fibrosis. Methods: In this study, primary hepatic stellate cells were isolated, purified, and cultured from rat. Expression of tTG gene was downregulated by lentivirus-mediated RNAi, and the effects on the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of HSC were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results: Lentivirus-mediated RNAi successfully reduced the endogenous expression of tTG in cultured cells. The down-regulation of tTG markedly inhibited the proliferation of HSC and attenuated the synthesis of Collagen-1. The downregulation of tTG also markedly reduced the level of tTG and hydroxyproline induced by CCl₄ in rat livers at week 8 and week 12 after injection of CCl₄. Conclusions: In summary, tTG plays an important role in liver fibrosis. Lentivirus-mediated downregulation of tTG showed a potential anti-fibrosis effect in rats, providing new evidence that the involvement of tTG in HSC activation, also suggesting that RNAi-directed targeting of tTG may be used as a potent and specific therapeutic tool for the treatment of liver fibrosis, especially in inhibiting the activation of HSC.