EXPRESSION OF CYTOCHROME-P450 ISOFORMS IN RAT HEPATIC STELLATE CELLS

The current study evaluated the expression and the inducibility of cyt ochrome P450 isoforms in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Lmmunoblot ting study revealed that HSCs expressed several P450s and CYP2C11, 3A2 , and 2D1 were major isoforms. The levels of CYP2B1, 2C11, 2D1, 2E1, a nd 3A2 in HSCs were 14 - 38% of those in hepatocytes. CYP1A2 content w as similar in each cell type. These P450 levels in HSCs gradually decr eased during culture as seen in hepatocytes; the level of CYP3A2 rapid ly, whereas that of CYP2D1 slowly decreased. Phenobarbital, a typical inducer of CYP3A2 and 2B1 increased CYP3A2 level as well, but had less potency in the induction of CYP2B1 in HSCs. These results indicate th at multiple P450 isoforms were present in HSCs, but their content and inducibility were different between HSCs and hepatocytes.