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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2014; 20(23): 7260-7276
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7260
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7260
Cellular and molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis: An update
Gülsüm Özlem Elpek, Department of Pathology, Akdeniz University Medical School, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Author contributions: Elpek GO solely analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Gülsüm Özlem Elpek, MD, Professor, Department of Pathology, Akdeniz University Medical School, Pınarbaşı Mh., 07070 Antalya, Turkey. elpek@akdeniz.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-242-2496389 Fax: +90-242-2275540
Received: October 26, 2013
Revised: February 8, 2014
Accepted: May 23, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Revised: February 8, 2014
Accepted: May 23, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process that results from an imbalance between the production and dissolution of the extracellular matrix. Development of liver fibrosis is orchestrated by many cell types, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The activation of HCSs is a complex process, leading to multiple potential sites for therapeutic interventions. Additionally, the differences between the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis associated with different etiologies may provide the determination of new therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the most significant data that has contributed to the understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, which may be translated into future therapeutic strategies.