Myofibroblast induces hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia via laminin-?v?6 integrin in liver fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocytes undergo the metaplasia into ductal biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in response to chronic injury, and subsequently contribute to liver regeneration. The mechanism underlying hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia has not been explored until now. In mouse models of liver fibrosis, a florid BEC response was observed in fibrotic liver, and the depletion of myofibroblasts attenuated BEC expansion remarkably. Then, in hepatocyte fate-tracing mouse model, we demonstrated the conversion of mature hepatocytes into ductal BECs in fibrotic liver, and the depletion of myofibroblasts diminished the hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia. Finally, the mechanism underlying the metaplasia was investigated. Myofibroblasts secreted laminin-rich extracellular matrix, and then laminin induced hepatocyte-to-ductal metaplasia through ?v?6 integrin. Therefore, our results demonstrated myofibroblasts induce the conversion of mature hepatocytes into ductal BECs through laminin-?v?6 integrin, which reveals that the strategy improve regeneration in fibrotic liver through the modification of specific microenvironment.

SUBMITTER: Xu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7090046 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature