Effect of microRNA-21 antisense oligonucleotide on collagen synthesis in the rat hepatic stellate cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA-21 (miR-21) antisense oligonucleotide on collagen synthesis in the rat hepatic satellite cells (HSCs). Methods Rat hepatic stellate cells were isolated and cultured; the miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide was transfected into HSCs with lipofectamine 2000; after incubation 48 h, the HSCs were collected. The expression of miR-21 was detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and α- smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein in HSCs with Western blot. The cell proliferation was assayed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. Results Compared to scrambled control group, the expression of miR-21 was reduced by 76% (P<0.01), the proliferation activity of HSCs was reduced by(26±3)%(P<0.01), the expressions of type I and III collagen proteins were reduced by(61±7)% and (48±6)%(P<0.01). Conclusions The miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide could reduce significantly the expression of miR-21, and inhibit HSC proliferation and extracellular matrix production. Key words: MicroRNAs; Oligonucleotides, antisense/PD; Hepatocytes/ME/DE; Collagen/BI//DE