Hepatic Stellate Cells Express the Low Affinity Nerve Growth Factor Receptor p75 and Undergo Apoptosis in Response to Nerve Growth Factor Stimulation

摘要: We have examined the expression of p75, a member TNF receptor superfamily in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and pancreatic (PSC). Activated HSC PSC were demonstrated by Western blot analysis to express p75. p75 was immunolocalized with myofibroblast-like morphology fibrotic bands six cirrhotic liver biopsies three human pancreas. Immunostaining parallel sections indicated that these α-smooth muscle actin-positive, identifying them as activated PSC, respectively. apoptosis tissue culture presence serum quantified after addition 0.1 100 ng/ml nerve growth factor (NGF) ligand for situ counting apoptotic bodies acridine orange. significant increase response NGF (0.05 > P Wilcoxon's rank; n = 7) 24 hours. had no effect on proliferation, but reduced total DNA 19% relative control hours ( 3). These data demonstrate respond stimulation undergoing apoptosis. therefore report novel marker suggest signaling via binding may provide mechanism selective HSC.