Work

Hepatic fibrosis

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will summarize the most significant work that contributed to the understanding of liver fibrosis progression and resolution, which in turn has yielded new areas of therapeutic targeting. RECENT FINDINGS: Liver fibrosis is the result of an imbalance between production and dissolution of extracellular matrix. Stellate cells, portal myofibroblasts, and bone marrow derived cells converge in a complex interaction with hepatocytes and immune cells to provoke scarring in response to liver injury. Uncovering the specific effects of growth factors on these cells, defining the interaction of different cell population during liver fibrosis and characterizing the genetic determinants of fibrosis progression will enable the discovery of new therapeutic approaches. SUMMARY: The outcome of improved understanding of liver fibrosis process, especially the regulation and activation of stellate cells, is reflected in the development of new therapeutic strategies, which are validated in animal models.

Source: Current Opinion in Gastroenterology

DOI: 10.1097/mog.0b013e3283279668

Authors: Jingjing Jiao, Scott L Friedman, Costica Aloman

Institutions: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Liver physiology and pathology

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases