Survivin expression is essential for early activation of hepatic stellate cells and fibrosis progression in chronic liver injury.

Aim: Hepatic fibrosis in injured liver is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from their quiescent state. Survivin (BIRC5) is one of the key genes that are upregulated during activation of HSCs but their role in HSC activation and fibrosis progression is unknown. Here, we have investigated the role of survivin protein in early fibrogenic activation of HSCs and fibrosis progression in chronic liver injury.

Materials & Methods: Primary quiescent HSCs were isolated from healthy mice liver through perfusion and cultured for fibrogenic activation. Survivin expression was suppressed by its pharmacological suppressant, YM155. We developed chronic liver injury induced fibrotic mice model through administrating repeated dose of CCl for 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Mice were pre-treated with YM155 a week before CCl administration till 2nd week of dosing and then discontinued. Hepatic parameters were characterized and underlying mechanisms were investigated.

Key Findings: Survivin expression gradually increased along with the expression of αSMA, collagen I activation maker in HSCs during their activation from quiescent state. Survivin suppression through YM155 downregulated αSMA, collagen I. Pre-treatment of YM155 in mice ceased the early activation of HSCs and onset of fibrosis in injured liver. However, discontinuation of YM155 initiated the activation of HSCs and fibrosis progression that shows survivin expression in HSCs is essential for their early activation and onset of liver fibrosis.

Significance: Survivin expression induces with activation of HSCs and drives onset of liver fibrosis in injured liver. Targeting survivin protein in activated HSCs could be a potential anti-fibrotic therapeutic approach in chronic liver injury.