Blocking of SMAD4 expression by shRNA effectively inhibits fibrogenesis of human hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: In this study, to clarify the SMAD4 blocking impact on fibrosis process, we investigated its down-regulation by shRNA on activated human LX-2 cell, in vitro.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a critical consequence of chronic damage to the liver that can progress toward advanced diseases, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Different SMAD proteins play as major mediators in the fibrogenesis activity of hepatic stellate cells through TGF-β pathways, but the extent of SMAD4 as a co-SMAD protein remained less clear.