Hepatic Stellate Cell Depletion and Genetic Manipulation

Abstract

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) exert key roles in the development of liver disease. Cell-specific genetic labeling, gene knockout and depletion are important for the understanding of the HSC in homeostasis and a wide range of diseases ranging from acute liver injury and liver regeneration to nonalcoholic liver disease and cancer. Here, we will review and compare different Cre-dependent and Cre-independent methods for genetic labeling, gene knockout, HSC tracing and depletion, and their applications to different disease models. We provide detailed protocols for each method including methods to confirm successful and efficient targeting of HSCs.

Keywords: Cre-lox; Diphtheria toxin; Hepatic stellate cell depletion; Thymidine kinase; Transgenic mice.