Effects of MT1-MMP on collagen metabolism regulated by FRNK in hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) on the expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: FRNK were transfected into HSCs by cationic liposome method. The protein levels of FRNK in HSC were assayed by Western blotting. The levels of MT1-MMP were determined by RT-PCR for mRNA and by Western blotting for protein, respectively. RESULTS: The up-regulated expression of FRNK protein was observed and it was at 48 h after transfection that the FRNK protein content was the highest (P<0.05). The expressions of MT1-MMP mRNA and protein were also up-regulated by the transfection of FRNK, and it was at 48 h after transfection that the MT1-MMP protein content was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The mRNA and protein of FRNK were over-expressed in HSC transfected with the gene of FRNK. The inhibitory effect of FRNK on the collagen synthesis in HSC may be through the up-regulation of MT1-MMP.