Effect of fibronectin on protection of rat hepatic stellate cells HSC-T6 from TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Objective To determine whether fibronectin can protect rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) HSC-T6 from TRAIL-induced apoptosis and to study the mechanism involved in this effect.Methods HSC-T6 were plated on fibronectin-uncoated or coated culture wells and treated with TRAIL.The inhibition on the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells was detected by 3- (4, 5-dimethytthiazole-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis rate was detected by flow Cytometry.Western Blot analysis was performed to determine the FAK、pFAK、Bax in the HSC-T6 cells homogenates and mitochondrion.Results FN could increase cell proliferation of HSC-T6 cells treated with TRAIL aand reduce apoptosis rate dramatically (P<0.05) .Western Blot showed that FN increased pFAK expression and reduced Bax expression.Conclusion FN could reduce apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells treated with TRAIL effectively, the high expressions of pFAK and low level expression Bax may play an important role.