Deactivation of cultured human liver myofibroblasts by trans-resveratrol, a grapevine-derived polyphenol

Hepatology. 2000 Apr;31(4):922-31. doi: 10.1053/he.2000.5848.

Abstract

Liver myofibroblasts are major actors in the development of liver fibrosis and cancer progression. There is a large interest in drugs that might deactivate these cells. Many studies have shown that the grapevine-derived polyphenol, trans-resveratrol, and other stilbenes have therapeutic potential in some diseases. In this work, we have studied the effect of grapevine polyphenols on cultured human liver myofibroblasts. We have shown that trans-resveratrol profoundly affects myofibroblast phenotype. Trans-resveratrol induced morphological modifications. It markedly reduced proliferation of myofibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Trans-resveratrol also decreased the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) without affecting vimentin or beta-cytoplasmic actin expression. It decreased myofibroblast migration in a monolayer wounding assay. We also showed that trans-resveratrol inhibited the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of type I collagen. Finally, it decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). We conclude that trans-resveratrol can deactivate human liver myofibroblasts. In the second part of this study, we have shown that neither trans-piceid (a glycosylated analog) nor trans-piceatannol (a hydroxylated analog) reproduces trans-resveratrol effects on liver myofibroblasts. We finally show that, although trans-resveratrol decreases the proliferation of skin fibroblast and vascular smooth muscle cells, it does not affect their expression of alpha-SMA, which indicates some cell specificity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Procollagen / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Resveratrol
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / ultrastructure
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antioxidants
  • Procollagen
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Stilbenes
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Resveratrol