Nondegradable Collagen Increases Liver Fibrosis but Not Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice

Although hepatocellular cancer (HCC) usually occurs in the setting of liver fibrosis, the causal relationship between liver fibrosis and HCC is unclear. By studying in  vivo and in vitro models of HCC using Colr/r mice (that produce a collagenase-resistant type I collagen) or wild-type (WT) mice, we aimed to assess the relationship between type I collagen, liver fibrosis, and experimental HCC. HCC was either chemically induced in WT and Colr/r mice or Hepa 1 to 6 cells were engrafted into WT and Colr/r livers.
Source: American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Regular article Source Type: research