Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2008; 14(18): 2894-2899
Published online May 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2894
Down-regulation of transforming growth factor β1/activin receptor-like kinase 1 pathway gene expression by herbal compound 861 is related to deactivation of LX-2 cells
Li Li, Xin-Yan Zhao, Bao-En Wang
Li Li, Xin-Yan Zhao, Bao-En Wang, Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
Author contributions: Wang BE, Li L and Zhao XY designed the research; Li L and Zhao XY performed the research; Li L, Zhao XY and Wang BE analyzed the data; and Li L wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Bao-En Wang, MD, Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China. bjfhlc@126.com
Telephone: +86-10-63164411
Fax: +86-10-63162233
Received: January 30, 2008
Revised: March 15, 2008
Published online: May 14, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of herbal compound 861 (Cpd861) on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1)/activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1, type I receptor) signaling-pathway-related gene expression in the LX-2 cell line, and the inhibitory mechanism of Cpd861 on the activation of LX-2 cells.

METHODS: LX-2 cells were treated with TGFβ1 (5 ng/mL) Cpd861 (0.1 mg/mL), TGFβ1 (5 ng/mL) plus Cpd861 (5 ng/mL) for 24 h to investigate the effect of Cpd861 on the TGFβ1/ALK1 pathway. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin), ALK1, Id1 (inhibitor of differentiation 1). Western blotting was carried out to measure the levels of α-SMA and phosphorylated Smad1, and immunocytochemical analysis for the expression of α-SMA.

RESULTS: In LX-2 cells, TGFβ1/ALK1-pathway-related gene expression could be stimulated by TGFβ1, which led to excessive activation of the cells. Cpd861 decreased the activation of LX-2 cells by reducing the expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein expression. This effect was related to inhibition of the above TGFβ1/ALK1-pathway-related expression of genes such as Id1 and ALK1, and phosphorylation of Smad1 in LX-2 cells, even with TGFβ1 co-treatment for 24 h.

CONCLUSION: Cpd861 can restrain the activation of LX-2 cells by inhibiting the TGFβ1/ALK1/Smad1 pathway.

Keywords: Herbal compound 861; LX-2 cell; Activin receptor-like kinase 1; Inhibitor of differentiation 1; Smad1