Hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis.
Substantial evidence now exists to recognize hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the main matrix-producing cells in the process of liver fibrosis. Liver injury of any etiology will ultimately lead to activation of HSCs, which undergo transdifferentiation to fibrogenic myofibroblast-like cells. Quantitative analysis of HSC activation by immunohistochemistry has been shown to be useful in predicting the rate of progression of liver fibrosis in some clinical situations. In the activation process, transforming growth factor beta is thought to be the main mediator of fibrogenesis and platelet-derived growth factor is the major inducer of HSC proliferation. Different platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor beta inhibitors have been shown to effectively prevent liver fibrosis in animal models and represent promising therapeutic agents for humans.
Moreira
Roger Klein
RK
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. roger_moreira@hotmail.com
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta