Abstract: Objective To explore the role of expression and distribution of PTEN protein in fibrotic liver tissue in the pathological process of hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by common bile duct ligation. The expressions and distribution of PTEN and α-SMA in rat liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and expression and distribution of PTEN protein in activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in rat liver tissues was assayed by immunofluorescence double labeling confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results With the development of hepatic fibrosis, α-SMA positive cells in rat liver tissues increased significantly (P<0.01), while the expression of PTEN protein decreased gradually (P<0.01). PTEN protein expressed extensively in activated HSC in rat liver tissues, especially in the cytoplasm, and with the aggravation of hepatic fibrosis, the PTEN-expressing activated HSC accounted for an increasingly smaller percentage of total activated HSC (P<0.01). Conclusions The PTEN positive cells in rat liver tissues decreased, its dynamic expression has a significant negative correlation with the activation and proliferation of HSC in vivo.

Key words: PTEN, Hepatic Fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell