Superoxide-induced apoptosis of activated rat hepatic stellate cells

Background/Aims During liver injury, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by the resident macrophages (Kupffer cells) and infiltrating blood cells such as neutrophils. ROS cause transformation of desmin-positive quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into the proliferating activated phenotype that expresses α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The highly fibrogenic and contractile activated HSCs (aHSCs) produce various cytokines and growth factors, and play important role in the pathophysiology of chronic liver disease. However, apoptotic aHSCs are also observed during active fibrogenesis in the injured liver. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis of aHSCs in relation to ROS. Methods HSCs, isolated from normal rat liver, were activated in culture and effects of superoxide were determined between subcultures 3 and 5. Results Treatment with superoxide caused apoptosis of aHSCs as determined by flow cytometry, TUNEL assay and DNA laddering analysis. The mechanisms of superoxide-induced apoptosis involved release of cytochrome c, increased Bax expression, increased caspase-3 activity, and hydrolysis of polyADP-ribose polymerase. Superoxide also increased the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL and nuclear translocation of NFκB. Caspase-3 inhibitor (DEVD-fmk) and antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E and superoxide dismutase) inhibited superoxide-induced apoptosis. Conclusions Superoxide-induced apoptosis of aHSCs may be a novel mechanism of limiting chronic fibrotic liver injury.