Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs)play a major role in promoting pancreatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factorbeta 1 (TGF-beta1) is a critical mediator of this process. This study aimed todetermine the expression of the Smad3 and Smad7 genes in the process of PSCactivation, and explore the mechanisms of chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS: The expressions of Smad3 and Smad7in PSCs before and after TGF-beta1 treatment were detected by reversetranscription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis. Smad3expression was detected in PSCs after treatment with 5 ng/ml of TGF-beta1 for24 hours.

RESULTS: Smad7 expression was decreased inTGF-beta1-activated PSCs (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. When TGF-beta1concentration reached 10 ng/ml, the expression of p-Smad3, Smad3, and Smad7 wasinhibited (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta1 promotes theexpression of Smad3 and inhibits the expression of Smad7 during the activationof PSCs. In contrast, high-dose TGF-beta1 downregulates the expression of Smad3in completely activated PSCs.