YONGDAE YOON^1,#, SOONJAE HWANG^1,2,#, FATEMA TUJ SAIMA^3,#, MOON YOUNG KIM^1,3,4, SOON KOO BAIK^1,3,4,*, YOUNG WOO EOM^1,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.3, pp. 669-676, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025365

Abstract Background: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are closely involved in the initiation, perpetuation, and resolution of liver fibrosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are positively correlated with the transition from liver injury to fibrogenesis and contribute to HSC pathophysiology in liver fibrosis. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β on the proliferation and signaling pathways involved in fibrogenesis in LX-2 cells, an HSC cell line, using western blotting and cell proliferation assays. Results: IL-1β increased the proliferation rate and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression of LX-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Within 1 h after… More >

VANINA ANDREA FONTANA¹, MELISA SANCHEZ¹, ELISA CEBRAL² AND JUAN CARLOS CALVO^1,3*

BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 37-44, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.037

Abstract Implantation is one of the most regulated processes in human reproduction, by endocrine and immunological systems. Cytokines are involved in embryo-maternal communication and an impaired balance could result in pregnancy loss. Here we investigated the effect of interleukin 1-β on the activity of two important metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) that are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling as well as the secretion of leptin, one of the reproductive hormones actively regulating their activity and secretion. We found that IL-1β activates matrix metalloproteinase activity as well as increases leptin secretion. We propose that this interleukin, through the regulation of leptin, in turn… More >