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Epigenetic regulation of hepatic stellate cell activation
Author(s) -
Mann Derek A,
Mann Jelena
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2007.05295.x
Subject(s) - hepatic stellate cell , epigenetics , myofibroblast , chromatin , gene silencing , phenotype , histone , dna methylation , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , regulation of gene expression , biology , chromatin remodeling , cancer research , gene , fibrosis , medicine , genetics , pathology
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) to a myofibroblast‐like phenotype is the pivotal event in liver fibrosis. In uninjured liver, HSC are quiescent and non‐dividing, but upon liver injury these cells undergo a dramatic change in phenotype which generates activated myofibroblast‐like HSC. The change in phenotype is underpinned by a global change in gene expression with hundreds of genes being up‐ or downregulated. Molecular events that orchestrate changes in gene expression take place at the level of chromatin packaging which is altered through three main processes: histone modifications, DNA methylation, and silencing by non‐coding RNAs. The present review focuses on the epigenetic regulation of HSC activation.