TIPE2 attenuates liver fibrosis by reversing the activated hepatic stellate cells

TIPE2, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TNFAIP8L2), plays an important role in regulating inflammation and immune homeostasis. Recent studies discovered that TIPE-2 involved in the development of several tumors and other proliferative diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of TIPE-2 in the activation and proliferation in HSC-T6 cells. Our study showed low expression of TIPE-2 in primary HSCs from CCl4-treated mice and activated HSC-T6 cells. Functionally, over-expression of TIPE-2 by GV141-TIPE-2 hindered the HSC-T6 cells activation and proliferation and expressions of β-Catenin, Cmyc, Cyclin D1. However, inhibition TIPE-2 expression by TIPE-2 siRNA showed the opposite effect. These observations revealed that TIPE-2 held a protective effect on liver fibrosis and could be a potential therapeutic target.