Publication
Title
Inhibition of placental growth factor activity reduces the severity of fibrosis, inflammation, and portal hypertension in cirrhotic mice
Author
Abstract
Placental growth factor (PlGF) is associated selectively with pathological angiogenesis, and PlGF blockade does not affect the healthy vasculature. Anti-PlGF is therefore currently being clinically evaluated for the treatment of cancer patients. In cirrhosis, hepatic fibrogenesis is accompanied by extensive angiogenesis. In this paper, we evaluated the pathophysiological role of PlGF and the therapeutic potential of anti-PlGF in liver cirrhosis. PlGF was significantly up-regulated in the CCl4-induced rodent model of liver cirrhosis as well as in cirrhotic patients. Compared with wild-type animals, cirrhotic PlGF−/− mice showed a significant reduction in angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, inflammation, fibrosis, and portal hypertension. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition with anti-PlGF antibodies yielded similar results as genetic loss of PlGF. Notably, PlGF treatment of activated hepatic stellate cells induced sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, as well as chemotaxis and proliferation, indicating a previously unrecognized profibrogenic role of PlGF. Conclusion: PlGF is a disease-candidate gene in liver cirrhosis, and inhibition of PlGF offers a therapeutic alternative with an attractive safety profile.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Hepatology / American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. - Baltimore, Md
Publication
Baltimore, Md : 2011
ISSN
0270-9139
DOI
10.1002/HEP.24238
Volume/pages
53 :5 (2011) , p. 1629-1640
ISI
000289956100024
Pubmed ID
21520176
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 11.04.2012
Last edited 04.03.2024
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