Significance of expression of Smad ubiquitination regulatory factors in liver fibrosis.
Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014;
22:2100-2107. [DOI:
10.11569/wcjd.v22.i15.2100]
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Abstract
AIM: To observe the expression of Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor (Smurf)1, Smurf2, Smad3 and Smad7 proteins in liver fibrosis and to evaluate their interactions.
METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of Smurf1, Smurf2, Smad3 and Smad7 in 9 normal liver tissue samples and 38 chronic HBV infection tissue samples.
RESULTS: Smurf1, Smurf2, Smad3 and Smad7 showed widespread expression in the liver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells. Compared with normal liver tissue, the positive rates of Smad3 and Smurf2 expression increased significantly (66.7% vs 100%, 66.7% vs 92.1%, P < 0.01 for both) and the positive rate of Smad7 expression decreased significantly in liver fibrosis (77.8% vs 39.5%, P < 0.01), although the positive rate of Smurf1 expression had no significant change (77.8% vs 63.2%, P > 0.05). There were significant positive correlations between Smad3 and Smurf2 expression and the degree of fibrosis (P < 0.01 for both). Smad7 expression was negatively correlated with the degree of fibrosis (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between Smurf1 expression and liver fibrosis (P > 0.05). Smurf2 expression was positively correlated with Smad3 expression (P < 0.01) and negatively with Smad7 expression (P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between Smurf1 and Smurf2, Smad3, Smad7 expression (P > 0.05 for all). There was a negative correlation between expression of Smad3 and that of Smad7 (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The increase of Smad3 signal and decrease of Smad7 signal may lead to the development of liver fibrosis, and Smurf2 may play a bidirectionally regulatory role in the progression of liver fibrosis.
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