Rapamycin inhibits hepatic stellate cell proliferation in vitro and limits fibrogenesis in an in vivo model of liver fibrosis

Background & Aims: The accelerated course of hepatic fibrosis that occurs in some patients after liver transplantation is a major clinical problem. This response may be caused by the antirejection therapeutics, and in an earlier report we showed that FK-506 enhanced the fibrogenic process in in vivo and in vitro models of liver fibrosis. In the present study, the aim was to determine whether a new immunosuppressive agent, rapamycin, enhances or inhibits liver fibrosis. Methods: Effects of rapamycin were investigated in a carbon tetrachloride model of hepatic fibrosis in rats and on hepatic stellate proliferation in vitro. Results: Rapamycin inhibited extracellular matrix deposition in the rat model of fibrogenesis as determined by histological analysis, collagen content, messenger RNA levels of procollagen and transforming growth factor pi, and tissue transglutaminase activity. Moreover, rapamycin decreased platelet growth factor-induced proliferation of hepatic stellate cells. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the new antirejection agent rapamycin inhibits hepatic fibrosis and thus may become a valuable addition to the immunosuppression armamentarium.