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Leukocytes as Modulators of Stellate Cell Activation
Author(s) -
Maher Jacquelyn J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1999.tb04203.x
Subject(s) - hepatic stellate cell , liver cytology , kupffer cell , inflammation , liver fibrosis , fibrosis , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , hepatic fibrosis , extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , pathology , immunology , medicine , liver metabolism , endocrinology , biochemistry , in vitro
Activation of stellate cells is central to the process of hepatic fibrogenesis. Stellate cell activation can be influenced by many factors, including cytokines, oxidants, and alterations in the perisinusoidal extracellular matrix. These factors can be produced by resident liver cells (hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, or stellate cells themselves); however, infiltrating leukocytes may also play an important role. Because liver fibrosis often follows a prolonged period of hepatic inflammation, investigators have begun to study leukocytes as modulators of stellate cell activation. The following data summarize recent investigations in this area that focus on neutrophils as well as mononuclear cells.