ECM1 produced by hepatic stellate cells serves as gate keeper of liver homeostasis in hepatic fibrosis - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #ECM1
- #liver fibrosis
- #hepatic stellate cells
- Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have dual roles in liver fibrosis and homeostasis, depending on the disease context.
- In metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), HSCs maintain liver homeostasis, while in CCl4-driven injury, they promote fibrosis.
- HSC depletion in MASH exacerbates disease, increases myofibroblasts from portal fibroblasts, and impairs hepatocyte function.
- In CCl4-induced fibrosis, HSC depletion reduces fibrosis without affecting liver regeneration or metabolic zonation.
- Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is identified as a key regulator of HSC quiescence and fibrosis resolution.
- ECM1 overexpression in HSCs suppresses CCl4-induced fibrosis, and its expression inversely correlates with fibrosis stage in human liver diseases.
- General HSC ablation may be harmful as antifibrotic therapy, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches.