Autophagy: a new player in hepatic stellate cell activation

LFR Thoen, EL Guimarães, LA van Grunsven - Autophagy, 2012 - Taylor & Francis
LFR Thoen, EL Guimarães, LA van Grunsven
Autophagy, 2012Taylor & Francis
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, the transition from a resident quiescent HSC to a
myofibroblastic collagen-producing HSC, is a fundamental feature of liver fibrosis.
Autophagy has been implicated in major liver pathologies, such as HCV infection and
hepatocarcinoma. However, its role in HSC biology is largely unknown. Recently, we were
able to demonstrate that HSC activation is followed by an increased autophagic flux and that
its inhibition can partially inhibit the HSC myofibroblastic transition. These results point to …
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, the transition from a resident quiescent HSC to a myofibroblastic collagen-producing HSC, is a fundamental feature of liver fibrosis. Autophagy has been implicated in major liver pathologies, such as HCV infection and hepatocarcinoma. However, its role in HSC biology is largely unknown. Recently, we were able to demonstrate that HSC activation is followed by an increased autophagic flux and that its inhibition can partially inhibit the HSC myofibroblastic transition. These results point to autophagy as a possible target in the prevention of HSC activation.
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