Expression of small heat shock protein αB-crystallin is induced after hepatic stellate cell activation

Alon Lang, Laura W. Schrum, Robert Schoonhoven, Shmuel Tuvia, Jose A. Solís-Herruzo, Hidekazu Tsukamoto, David A. Brenner, Richard A. Rippe*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using the differential PCR display method to select cDNA fragments that are differentially expressed after hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, we have isolated from activated HSCs a cDNA that corresponds to rat αB-crystallin. Northern blots confirmed expression of αB-crystallin in culture-activated HSCs but not in quiescent HSCs. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical staining confirmed expression of αB-crystallin protein in activated but not quiescent HSCs. αB-crystallin is induced as early as 6 h after plating HSCs on plastic and continues to be expressed for 14 days in culture. Expression of αB-crystallin was also induced in vivo in activated HSCs from experimental cholestatic liver fibrosis. Confocal microscopy demonstrated a cytoplasmic distribution of αB-crystallin in a cytoskeletal pattern. Heat shock treatment resulted in an immediate perinuclear redistribution that in time returned to a normal cytoskeletal distribution. The expression pattern of αB-crystallin was similar to that of HSP25, another small heat shock protein, but differed from the classic heat shock protein HSP70. Therefore, αB-crystallin represents an early marker for HSC activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)G1333-G1342
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
Volume279
Issue number6 42-6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismR29AA010459

    Keywords

    • Differential polymerase chain reaction display
    • Gene expression
    • Liver fibrosis

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