Dexamethasone modulates α2-macroglobulin and apolipoprotein E gene expression in cultured rat liver fat-storing (Ito) cells

Fat-storing (Ito) cells are perisinusoidal liver cells thought to play a central role in vitamin A metabolism and fibrogenesis. Glucocorticoids have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of certain types of liver diseases by delaying the development of cirrhosis. To study the regulatory effects of dexamethasone on Ito cell gene expression, Ito cells were isolated from normal rat liver and primary cultures were established. The effect of dexamethasone on the synthesis of α2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein E, fibronectin and actin was examined. Protein synthesis was studied both at the protein level and at the RNA level by means of biosynthetic labeling, immunoprecipitation followed by s…