scholarly journals Systemic sclerosis endothelial cells recruit and activate dermal fibroblasts by induction of a connective tissue growth factor (CCN2)/transforming growth factor β-dependent mesenchymal-to-mesenchymal transition

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Serratì ◽  
Anastasia Chillà ◽  
Anna Laurenzana ◽  
Francesca Margheri ◽  
Elisa Giannoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Connective Tissue Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

l-Theanine prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis via inhibition of nuclear factor κB and down-regulation of transforming growth factor β and connective tissue growth factor

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Pérez-Vargas ◽  
N Zarco ◽  
P Vergara ◽  
M Shibayama ◽  
J Segovia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Tetrachloride ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Connective Tissue Growth Factor ◽  
Hepatic Cirrhosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Nuclear Factor

Here we evaluated the ability of l-theanine in preventing experimental hepatic cirrhosis and investigated the roles of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation as well as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) regulation. Experimental hepatic cirrhosis was established by the administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to rats (0.4 g/kg, intraperitoneally, three times per week, for 8 weeks), and at the same time, adding l-theanine (8.0 mg/kg) to the drinking water. Rats had ad libitum access to water and food throughout the treatment period. CCl4 treatment promoted NF-κB activation and increased the expression of both TGF-β and CTGF. CCl4 increased the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and the degree of lipid peroxidation, and it also induced a decrease in the glutathione and glutathione disulfide ratio. l-Theanine prevented increased expression of NF-κB and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6) and profibrotic (TGF-β and CTGF) cytokines. Furthermore, the levels of messenger RNA encoding these proteins decreased in agreement with the expression levels. l-Theanine promoted the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the fibrolytic enzyme metalloproteinase-13. Liver hydroxyproline contents and histopathological analysis demonstrated the anti-fibrotic effect of l-theanine. In conclusion, l-theanine prevents CCl4-induced experimental hepatic cirrhosis in rats by blocking the main pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic signals.

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