Cystatin A expression reduces bile salt-induced apoptosis in a rat hepatoma cell line

The impact of cystatin A expression in bile salt-induced apoptosis in a rat hepatoma cell line was analyzed. Results showed that expression of cystatin A in the cell line reduced cathepsin B activity and apoptosis and inhibition of cathepsin B by expression of cystatin A does not prevent activation of hydrolytic activity. These suggested that cathepsin B contributes to bile salt-induced apoptosis.