LX-2

LX-2 cell line is human hepatic stellate cell line derived by spontaneously immortalization at low serum condition, used as a model for studying liver fibrosis. It retains the characteristic retinoid phenotype of stellate cells and expresses classic markers, including α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. LX-2 cells express crucial receptors involved in fibrogenesis, such as PDGFR-β, Discoidin Domain Receptor 2, and the leptin receptor, alongside major matrix remodeling proteins like MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMM (with reduced TIMP-1). Functionally, LX-2 cells proliferate in response to PDGF stimulation, upregulate procollagen expression upon TGF-β1 treatment, and are highly transfectable. Gene expression profiling demonstrates a striking 98.7% similarity to primary human hepatic stellate cells, including the expression of neuronal genes, confirming its close resemblance to the in vivo phenotype.