WB-F344 Hepatic Stellate Cells (WB-F344)

The WB-F344 cell line is a well-established rat hepatic stellate cell line that was derived from the liver of a Fisher 344 rat. These cells were immortalized by introducing the simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen, which inhibits the functions of the tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRB, allowing the cells to grow indefinitely in culture.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are liver-resident cells that play a crucial role in liver fibrosis, a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury. The activation of HSCs leads to their transformation into myofibroblast-like cells, which produce excessive extracellular matrix proteins, contributing to the development of liver fibrosis.

The WB-F344 cell line is widely used as an in vitro model system to study the activation, proliferation, and fibrogenic properties of HSCs. Researchers utilize these cells to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis, as well as to screen potential anti-fibrotic compounds for their efficacy in preventing or reversing fibrotic processes. Additionally, the WB-F344 cell line has been instrumental in elucidating the signaling pathways involved in HSC activation, such as TGF-β, PDGF, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which are known to drive fibrogenesis. By studying these pathways in WB-F344 cells, researchers can identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.