title: Genetic polymorphisms and the progression of liver fibrosis: a critical appraisal.
abstract: Liver fibrosis is a highly dynamic process in which multiple genes interact with environmental factors. Recent human epidemiologic studies have identified possible polymorphisms in a number of candidate genes that influence the progression of liver fibrosis. These genetic factors could explain the broad spectrum of responses to the same etiologic agent found in patients with chronic liver diseases. Polymorphisms in genes encoding immunoregulatory proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, and fibrogenic factors may influence disease progression in patients with alcohol-induced liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis C. However, some of the studies have yielded contradictory results. For example, conflicting results have been obtained in studies assessing the role of mutations in the hemochromatosis gene on fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Large-scale, well-designed studies are required to clarify the actual role of this factor and other genetic variants in liver fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bataller
authors.forename: Kari E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000235:genetics; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000235:genetics; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins