HCV core protein promotes liver fibrogenesis via up-regulation of CTGF with TGF-β1

Liver cirrhosis is one of the major complications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the mechanisms underlying HCV-related fibrogenesis are still not clear. Although the roles of HCV core protein remain poorly understood, it is supposed to play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of HCV core protein on the hepatic fibrogenesis. We established an in vitro co-culture system with primary hepatic stellate cell (HSC) isolated from rats, and a stable HepG2-HCV core cell line which had been transfected with HCV core gene. The expressions of fibrosis-related molecules transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), transforming growth factor β receptor II (TGFβRII), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were analyzed via histological or molecular methods. In addition, the expression levels of matrix metaloprotinase-2 (MMP-2) and collagen type I (Col I) from the co-cultured media were measured by zymogram and ELISA, respectively. The expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Col I, TGFβRII and MMP-2 were significantly increased in the co-culture of stable HepG2-HCV core with HSC. Moreover, the significant increases of CTGF and TGF-β1 in the HCV core- expressing cells were observed by either Northern or Western blot analysis. These results suggest that HCV core protein may contribute to the hepatic fibrogenesis via up-regulation of CTGF and TGF-β1.