Changes in albumin, alpha-fetoprotein and collagen gene transcription in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.

In efforts to understand mechanisms of liver dysfunction in cirrhosis, transcription of specific genes important to liver function has been measured in the rat model of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. The relative transcription rates of albumin, alpha-fetoprotein and pro-alpha 1-collagen genes were studied during development of fibrosis and after fibrosis was established. During the initial phase of CCl4 administration, there was a decrease in albumin transcription associated with increased alpha-fetoprotein transcription, indicative of active liver regeneration. However, later during development of fibrosis, the response pattern of these genes was different, as albumin gene transcription was normal or increased and alpha-fetoprotein gene transcription was no longer increased. Three weeks after completion of CCl4 treatment (fully established cirrhosis), albumin genes responded normally or hypernormally to an acute regenerative stimulus, but the alpha-fetoprotein gene was again not measurably responsive. Pro-alpha 1-collagen gene transcription increased during the entire fibrogenic process and remained elevated after cirrhosis was established. These studies suggest that a switch from albumin to alpha-fetoprotein gene transcription can serve as a marker of liver regenerative capacity, and that this process is altered during and after development of hepatic fibrosis. The fibrogenic process is also associated with elevated transcription of collagen genes.