OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of RAR-beta transfection plus treatment with the corresponding ligand ATRA on the proliferation and phenotype of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: PDGF-activated hepatic stellate cells of rats were transfected with eukaryotic expression vector pCMV-script-RAR-beta, which was verified by western blot. The proliferation of transfected HSC was assayed by western blot incorporation as well as MTT methods. Their phenotype (alpha-SMA and desmin) was observed by immunocytochemistry assay with image analysis and RAR-beta protein expression was detected by western blot. RESULTS: Transfection of RAR-beta gene and treatment with ligand ATRA could increase the expression of RAR-beta protein for at least 144h and inhibit the proliferation and the expression of alpha-SMA and desmin in PDGF-activated HSC. Significant statistical differences were perceived comparing with sham-transfected, only-PDGF treated, non-ligand treated and irrelevant ligand-treated HSC. CONCLUSIONS: Transfected with RAR-beta gene as well as using related ligand ATRA could suppress the proliferation and reverse the activation phenotype of activated HSC.