CYP11B2 expression in HSCs and its effect on hepatic fibrogenesis

It has been reported that renin-angiotensin system exists in tissue[1] and aldosterone can be synthesized in extra-adrenal tissue including heart, blood vessels[2] and brain[3]. Recent studies have brought rich evidences in favour of aldosterone as a strong stimulator of fibrogenesis and mitogenesis[4-9]. Recently Wu PS reported that aldosterone synthase gene CYP11B2 can be expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of liver[10]. As the activation of HSCs is the central event in fibrogenesis of liver[11-26], we undertook the present study to investigate the relationship between hepatic fibrogenesis and locally produced aldosterone in liver.