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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2014; 20(20): 6287-6292
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6287
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6287
Telomere and telomerase in chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinoma
Lucia Carulli, Claudia Anzivino, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
Author contributions: Carulli L and Anzivino C both reviewed the literature and wrote the manuscript; both authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Lucia Carulli, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy. lucia.carulli@unimore.it
Telephone: +30-59-3961804 Fax: +39-59-3961335
Received: January 4, 2014
Revised: February 11, 2014
Accepted: March 5, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Revised: February 11, 2014
Accepted: March 5, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is not completely elucidated. Genetic predisposition may contribute to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evidence supporting the role of genetic factors as a risk for cirrhosis and the concept of telomere shortening as a genetic risk factor for chronic liver disease and HCC has been proposed. Here we review the literature on telomerase mutations, telomere shortening and liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma.