| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 生物科學系研究所 === 95 === Bone Morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily. They regulate cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and bone morphogenesis. Previous evidence suggests that BMP-2, as an antagonist of TGF-β, may play an inhibitory role in tissue fibrogenesis. The aim of this study is to examine the expression profile of BMP-2 in fibrotic livers and to test whether BMP-2 gene delivery could alleviate or reverse the liver fibrogenesis models in mice including bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model. The results showed that the AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels in sera and the expression of TGF-β, α-smooth muscle actin, type I collagen in livers were significantly up-regulated by BDL surgery or CCl4 administration. After BDL, the hepatic BMP-2 mRNA and protein levels in mice decreased at 7 and 14 days after surgery. Similarly, the hepatic BMP-2 mRNA and protein levels in mice decreased at day 14 and 28 after CCl4 administration. BMP-2 gene delivery alleviated the inflammation and the liver injury caused by BDL or CCl4 exposure. These findings strongly suggest that BMP-2 is involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Moreover, BMP-2 supplementation may facilitate a novel strategy for treatment of liver fibrosis.
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