Crosstalk between neutrophils and hepatic stellate cells in liver injury and repair: Mechanisms and implications

Figure 1 Central amplifier of fibrosis via neutrophil-hepatic stellate cells crosstalk. Neutrophils mediators (neutrophil extracellular traps, extracellular vesicles, S100A8/A9, cytokines) activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), driving extracellular matrix production and chemokine release. Activated HSCs, promote neutrophil recruitment and activation, forming a self-sustaining positive-feedback loop. ROS: Reactive oxygen species; NE: Neutrophils elastase; MPO: Myeloperoxidase; NET: Neutrophils extracellular trap; EVs: Extracellular vesicles; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL: Interleukin; HGF: Hepatocyte growth factor; TLR: Toll-like receptors; HSC: Hepatic stellate cell; ECM: Extracellular matrix; NLRP3: NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3.