Massive hepatic apoptosis associated with TGF-β1 activation after Fas ligand treatment of IGF binding protein-1–deficient mice

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Abstract

Acute liver failure caused by viral hepatitis or toxic damage involves both apoptotic and necrotic pathways. IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), a hepatocyte-derived secreted protein, is required for normal liver regeneration. To determine whether IGFBP-1 could prevent liver injury that entails direct stimulation of hepatocyte apoptosis, IGFBP-1–/– mice, IGFBP-1+/+ mice, and mice pretreated with Ab’s against IGFBP-1 were treated with a normally sublethal dose of Fas agonist. IGFBP-1 deficiency was associated with massive hepatocyte apoptosis and caspase activation within 3 hours of Fas agonist treatment, which could be corrected by pretreatment with IGFBP-1. IGFBP-1–deficient livers had enhanced signaling via the integrin receptor at early times (0.5 to 1 hour) after Fas agonist treatment accompanied by elevated activated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a known target of fibronectin signaling and activator of TGF-β. Within 3 hours of Fas agonist treatment, elevated expression of active TGF-β1, a hepatocyte apoptogen, was observed in IGFBP-1–deficient livers that correlated with the appearance of the apoptotic process. Both MMP-9 and TGF-β1 expression were suppressed by IGFBP-1 treatment, supporting their role in the apoptotic process. IGFBP-1–/– mice also displayed increased injury in a toxic hepatic injury model caused by CCl4. These findings indicate that IGFBP-1 functions as a critical hepatic survival factor in the liver by reducing the level of proapoptotic signals.

Authors

Julia I. Leu, Mary Ann S. Crissey, Rebecca Taub