Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor-3gamma (HNF-3gamma) is an important regulator of liver-specific genes and the expression of this factor is reduced in the liver injured by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Wistar rats were infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying the cDNA for HNF-3gamma (AxCAHNF3gamma) via the tail vein and were treated with CCl(4) by intraperitoneal injection. Liver damage, such as swelling of the hepatocytes and increases in serum marker enzymes were markedly alleviated by AxCAHNF3gamma infection. Interestingly, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was strongly induced in the AxCAHNF3gamma-infected liver. Likewise, HNF-1alpha and HNF-1beta levels were increased, but HNF-3alpha and HNF-3beta levels were depressed in the liver. Our results suggest that the transduced HNF-3gamma gene leads to a hepatoprotective effect via the induction of HGF by the combined actions of liver-enriched transcription factors.
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Adenoviridae / genetics
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Animals
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Carbon Tetrachloride / toxicity*
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / genetics
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / therapeutic use
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Gene Transfer Techniques
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Genetic Vectors
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor / biosynthesis
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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-gamma
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Liver / drug effects
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Liver / physiology*
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Male
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Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
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Nuclear Proteins / therapeutic use
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Protective Agents / therapeutic use
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Foxa3 protein, rat
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Nuclear Proteins
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Protective Agents
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Transcription Factors
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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-gamma
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor
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Carbon Tetrachloride