Objective To investigate the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) F protein on proliferation and collagen expression of hepatic stellate cells. Methods After pcDNA3.1-f plasmid containing HCV f gene or empty pcDNA3.1 plasmid was transfected hepatic stellate cells LX2 by liposome, LX-f or LX-p cells were obtained by G418 screening. The proliferation of LX-f or LX-p cells was analyzed by MTT, and the contents of collagen type Ⅰand Ⅲ secreted by LX-f or LX-p cells were detected by ELISA. Results After 24 h cultivation, the proliferation rate of LX-f cells was higher than that of LX-p cells at each time point （Plt;0.01）. After 48 h cultivation, the contents of collagen typeⅠand Ⅲ secreted by LX-f were (25.89±0.42) ng/ml and (18.21±0.49) ng/ml, which was significantly higher than those of LX-p cells 〔(22.65±0.49) ng/ml and (15.29±0.62) ng/ml〕, Plt;0.01. Conclusion HCV F protein is able to promote proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, and up-regulate the excretion of collagen type Ⅰand Ⅲ in those cells, which induces hepatic fibrosis.
