Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in hepatic stellate cells

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: Via in situ perfusion with proteinase and collagenase and density-gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz, HSC were isolated and cultured from the livers of both normal Wistar rats and the livers of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride. Expression of ICAM-1 in HSC was detected by an immunohistochemistry assay and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: No ICAM-1 was expressed in the freshly isolated HSC of normal rats, but ICAM-1 was found in primary cultures of HSC at day 10 and in secondary cultures of HSC at day 7. Additionally, the intensity of the expression increased over time. Expression of ICAM-1 was observed in freshly isolated HSC from the livers of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of ICAM-1 is related to the activation of HSC, hepatic inflammation and hepatic fibrogenesis.