Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor suppresses experimental liver fibrosis in mice

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a cytoprotective agent in several organ systems but its roles in liver fibrosis are unclear. We studied the roles of HB-EGF in experimental liver fibrosis in mice and during hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Thioacetamide (TAA; 100mg/kg) was administered by intra-peritoneal injection three times a week for 4 weeks to wild-type HB-EGF(+/+) or HB-EGF-null (HB-EGF(−/−)) male mice. Livers were examined for histology and expression of key fibrotic markers. Primary cultured HSC isolated from untreated HB-EGF(+/+) or HB-EGF(−/−) mice were examined for fibrotic markers and/or cell migration either during culture-induced activation or after exogenous HB-EGF (100 ng/ml) treatment. TAA induced liver fibrosis in both HB-EGF(+/+) and HB-EGF(−/−) mice. Hepatic HB-EGF expression was decreased in TAA-treated HB-EGF(+/+) mice by 37.6% (p < 0.05) as compared to animals receiving saline alone. HB-EGF(−/−) mice treated with TAA showed increased hepatic α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and collagen deposition, and, as compared to HB-EGF(+/+) mice, TAA-stimulated hepatic mRNA levels in HB-EGF(−/−) mice were, respectively, 2.1-, 1.7-, 1.8-, 2.2-, 1.2-, or 3.3-fold greater for α-smooth muscle actin, α1 chain of collagen I or III (COL1A1 or COL3A1), transforming growth factor-β1, connective tissue growth factor, or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (p < 0.05). HB-EGF expression was detectable in primary cultured HSC from HB-EGF(+/+) mice. Both endogenous and exogenous HB-EGF inhibited HSC activation in primary culture, and HB-EGF enhanced HSC migration. These findings suggest that HB-EGF gene knockout in mice increases susceptibility to chronic TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and that HB-EGF expression or action is associated with suppression of fibrogenic pathways in HSC.