Abstract: Objective Investigate the expression of SOX12 in hepatic stellate cells and normal hepatocytes, and investigate the effect of SOX12 on liver cirrhosis by mediating the expression of TGF-β1in hepatic stellate cells. Methods LX-2 (hepatic stellate cells) and Changliver cell (normal hepatocytes) were cultured. PCR technique was used to detect the expression of SOX12 and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of various indexes in liver cirrhosis. At the same time, the relationship between SOX12 and TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor) was discussed out. Inhibition of SOX12 by cell transfection Effect of gene expression on TGF-β1. Results 1)SOX12 protein was highly expressed in both human hepatocytes and stellate cells；2) the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I in hepatic stellate cells was decreased by inhibiting the expression of SOX12 gene；3)SOX12 regulates the activity of hepatic stellate cells and the expression of TGF-β1, resulting in the accumulation of extra-cellular matrix. Conclusions Down-regulation of SOX12 expression in hepatic stellate cells inhibits liver cirrhosis.

Key words: Key words：SOX12, liver cirrhosis, TGF-β1 , hepatic stellate cells