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Relationship: 304
Title
Up Regulation, TGFbeta1 expression leads to Activation, Stellate cells
Upstream event
Downstream event
AOPs Referencing Relationship
Taxonomic Applicability
Sex Applicability
Life Stage Applicability
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is the most potent fibrogenic factor for epatic stellate cells (HSCs). In response to TGF-β1, HSCs activate into myofibroblast-like cells, producing type I, III and IV collagen, proteoglycans like biglycan and decorin, glycoproteins like laminin, fibronectin, tenascin and glycosaminoglycan. [1] In the further course of events activated HSCs themselves express TGF-β1. TGF-β1 induces its own mRNA to sustain high levels in local sites of liver injury. The effects of TGF-β1 are mediated by intracellular signalling via Smad proteins. Smads 2 and 3 are stimulatory whereas Smad 7 is inhibitory. Smad1/5/8, MAP kinase and PI3 kinase are further signalling pathways in different cell types for TGF-β1 effects. [2] Concomitant with increased TGF-β production, HSC increase production of collagen. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a profibrogenic peptide induced by TGF-β, that stimulates the synthesis of collagen type I and fibronectin and may mediate some of the downstream effects of TGF-β. It is upregulated during activation of HSC, suggesting that its expression is another determinant of a fibrogenic response to TGF-β [3]. During fibrogenesis, tissue and blood levels of active TGF-β are elevated and overexpression of TGF-β1 in transgenic mice can induce fibrosis. Additionally, experimental fibrosis can be inhibited by anti-TGF-β treatments with neutralizing antibodies or soluble TbRs (TGF-β receptors) [4].
| ID | Experimental Design | Species | Upstream Observation | Downstream Observation | Citation (first author, year) | Notes |
|---|
| Title | First Author | Biological Plausibility |
Dose Concordance |
Temporal Concordance |
Incidence Concordance |
|---|
Biological Plausibility
Dose Concordance Evidence
Temporal Concordance Evidence
Incidence Concordance Evidence
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
There are no uncertainties that TGF-b1 activates HSCs.
no quantitative data