Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of breaking the phosphorylation of FAK by FRNK on apoptosis and the expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in HSC in vitro. Methods After FN stimulated HSC, FRNK plasmid mediated by cationic liposome was transfected into HSC. The apoptosis of FRNK-induced HSC was examined by Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide double-labeled flow cytometry (FCM), gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscope. And the levels of FRNK, FAK, p-FAK (Tyr397), MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in HSC were assayed by Western blot on protein level, and by RT-PCR on mRNA level, respectively. Results The expression of FRNK was enhanced after FRNK has been transiently transfected into HSC in vitro. The apoptotic rate in HSC exposed to FRNK plasmid for 48 h was higher than that in the non-FRNK plasmid group(25.37%±1.92 % vs 9.28%±1.05 %), P<0.01]. After exposure of HSC to FRNK plasmid，compared with the non-FRNK plasmid group, the expression of TIMP-2 in protein and mRNA level reduced; On the contrary, the expression of MMP-2 increased. Conclusions FRNK can induce the HSC apoptosis and MMP-2/TIMP-2 was perhaps involved in the process.

Key words: hepatic stellate cell, apoptosis, FAK related non-kinase, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinasea-2