The Effect of Lecithins Coupled Decorin Nanoliposomes on Treatment of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of bile duct-targeting lecithins- (PC-) coupled decorin (DCN) (PC-DCN) nanoliposomes against liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. We prepared PC-DCN nanoliposomes by using rat astrocytes, HSC-T6, to verify the antifibrosis effect of PC-DCN in vitro. First, we established a rat model of carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis. PC-DCN nanoliposomes were then injected into fibrotic rats via the portal vein or bile duct. The EdU assay was performed to analyze cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA) expression. Western blot was performed to examine the expression of α -SMA, collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β ) protein. The levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to determine liver tissue lesions and liver fibrosis. Compared with TGF- β group, PC-DCN treatment could significantly reduce cell proliferation. Western blot analysis indicated that the expression of α -SMA, COL1A1, and TGF- β was downregulated after treatment with PC-DCN in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that α -SMA expression was reduced by PC-DCN. Furthermore, H&E staining and Masson trichrome staining showed that the administration of PC-DCN nanoliposomes via the bile duct could reduce the extent of liver fibrosis. PCR analysis showed that PC-DCN administration could reduce proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF- α , and IL-1 β expression via the bile duct. The administration of PC-DCN nanoliposomes also significantly downregulated liver function indicators ALT, AST, and TBIL. The results of our study indicated that PC-DCN could effectively reduce the extent of liver fibrosis.
Competing Interests: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2020 Guojun Chen et al.)