Arginine vasopressin induces contraction and stimulates growth of cultured human hepatic stellate cells

R Bataller, JM Nicolas, P Gines, A Esteve… - …, 1997 - gastrojournal.org
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are perisinusoidal cells believed to
participate in the regulation of hepatic blood flow because of their contractile properties and
presence of receptors for several vasoactive factors. It is unknown whether HSCs have
receptors for vasopressin, one of the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictors. This study
investigated the existence of receptors for and the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on
cultured human HSCs. METHODS: intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+] i) and cell …