Hepatic Stellate Cell: A Double-Edged Sword in the Liver

Overview

Journal Physiol Res

Specialty Physiology

Date 2021 Oct 30

PMID 34717063

Citations 17

Authors

Nianan Luo

Jiangbin Li

Yu Wei

Jianguo Lu

Rui Dong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are located in the space of Disse, between liver sinusoidal endothelia cells (LSECs) and hepatocytes. They have surprised and excited hepatologists for their biological characteristics. Under physiological quiescent conditions, HSCs are the major vitamin A-storing cells of the liver, playing crucial roles in the liver development, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis. Upon injury-induced activation, HSCs convert to a pro-fibrotic state, producing the excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) and promoting angiogenesis in the liver fibrogenesis. Activated HSCs significantly contribute to liver fibrosis progression and inactivated HSCs are key to liver fibrosis regression. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive understanding of HSCs features, including their roles in normal liver and liver fibrosis in hopes of advancing the development of emerging diagnosis and treatment for hepatic fibrosis.

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