“Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics

Carlos G Moscoso,1 Clifford J Steer1,21Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; 2Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USACorrespondence: Carlos G Moscoso; Clifford J SteerDepartment...

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Main Authors: Moscoso CG, Steer CJ
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2019-09-01
Series:Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/let-my-liver-rather-heat-with-wine---a-review-of-hepatic-fibrosis-path-peer-reviewed-article-HMER
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author Moscoso CG
Steer CJ
author_facet Moscoso CG
Steer CJ
author_sort Moscoso CG
collection DOAJ
description Carlos G Moscoso,1 Clifford J Steer1,21Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; 2Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USACorrespondence: Carlos G Moscoso; Clifford J SteerDepartment of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota Medical School, Phillips-Wangensteen Building, 516 Delaware Street, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USATel +1 612 625 8999Fax +1 612 625 5620Email cmoscoso@umn.edu steer001@umn.eduAbstract: Cirrhosis is characterized by extensive hepatic fibrosis, and it is the 14th leading cause of death worldwide. Numerous contributing conditions have been implicated in its development, including infectious etiologies, medication overdose or adverse effects, ingestible toxins, autoimmunity, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease and primary biliary cholangitis to list a few. It is associated with portal hypertension and its stigmata (varices, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, combined coagulopathy and thrombophilia), and it is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation has been the only curative modality to treat cirrhosis, and the scarcity of donors results in many people waiting years for a transplant. Identification of novel targets for pharmacologic therapy through elucidation of key mechanistic components to induce fibrosis reversal is the subject of intense research. Development of robust models of hepatic fibrosis to faithfully characterize the interplay between activated hepatic stellate cells (the principal fibrogenic contributor to fibrosis initiation and perpetuation), hepatocytes and extracellular matrix components has the potential to identify critical components and mechanisms that can be exploited for targeted treatment. In this review, we will highlight key cellular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of fibrosis from extracellular ligands, effectors and receptors, to nuclear receptors, epigenetic mechanisms, energy homeostasis and cytokines. Further, molecular pathways of hepatic stellate cell deactivation are discussed, including apoptosis, senescence and reversal or transdifferentiation to an inactivated state resembling quiescence. Lastly, clinical evidence of fibrosis reversal induced by biologics and small molecules is summarized, current compounds under clinical trials are described and efforts for treatment of hepatic fibrosis with mesenchymal stem cells are highlighted. An enhanced understanding of the rich tapestry of cellular processes identified in the initiation, perpetuation and resolution of hepatic fibrosis, driven principally through phenotypic switching of hepatic stellate cells, should lead to a breakthrough in potential therapeutic modalities.Keywords: fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatic stellate cell, reversal, transdifferentiation, senescence, apoptosis
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spelling doaj.art-f8d7f54665ca42ef8f84589894625e822022-12-21T21:25:15ZengDove Medical PressHepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research1179-15352019-09-01Volume 1110912948305“Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeuticsMoscoso CGSteer CJCarlos G Moscoso,1 Clifford J Steer1,21Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; 2Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USACorrespondence: Carlos G Moscoso; Clifford J SteerDepartment of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota Medical School, Phillips-Wangensteen Building, 516 Delaware Street, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USATel +1 612 625 8999Fax +1 612 625 5620Email cmoscoso@umn.edu steer001@umn.eduAbstract: Cirrhosis is characterized by extensive hepatic fibrosis, and it is the 14th leading cause of death worldwide. Numerous contributing conditions have been implicated in its development, including infectious etiologies, medication overdose or adverse effects, ingestible toxins, autoimmunity, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease and primary biliary cholangitis to list a few. It is associated with portal hypertension and its stigmata (varices, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, combined coagulopathy and thrombophilia), and it is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation has been the only curative modality to treat cirrhosis, and the scarcity of donors results in many people waiting years for a transplant. Identification of novel targets for pharmacologic therapy through elucidation of key mechanistic components to induce fibrosis reversal is the subject of intense research. Development of robust models of hepatic fibrosis to faithfully characterize the interplay between activated hepatic stellate cells (the principal fibrogenic contributor to fibrosis initiation and perpetuation), hepatocytes and extracellular matrix components has the potential to identify critical components and mechanisms that can be exploited for targeted treatment. In this review, we will highlight key cellular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of fibrosis from extracellular ligands, effectors and receptors, to nuclear receptors, epigenetic mechanisms, energy homeostasis and cytokines. Further, molecular pathways of hepatic stellate cell deactivation are discussed, including apoptosis, senescence and reversal or transdifferentiation to an inactivated state resembling quiescence. Lastly, clinical evidence of fibrosis reversal induced by biologics and small molecules is summarized, current compounds under clinical trials are described and efforts for treatment of hepatic fibrosis with mesenchymal stem cells are highlighted. An enhanced understanding of the rich tapestry of cellular processes identified in the initiation, perpetuation and resolution of hepatic fibrosis, driven principally through phenotypic switching of hepatic stellate cells, should lead to a breakthrough in potential therapeutic modalities.Keywords: fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatic stellate cell, reversal, transdifferentiation, senescence, apoptosishttps://www.dovepress.com/let-my-liver-rather-heat-with-wine---a-review-of-hepatic-fibrosis-path-peer-reviewed-article-HMERFibrosiscirrhosishepatic stellate cellreversaltransdifferentiationsenescenceapoptosis
spellingShingle Moscoso CG
Steer CJ
“Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research
Fibrosis
cirrhosis
hepatic stellate cell
reversal
transdifferentiation
senescence
apoptosis
title “Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
title_full “Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
title_fullStr “Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed “Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
title_short “Let my liver rather heat with wine” - a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
title_sort ldquo let my liver rather heat with wine rdquo a review of hepatic fibrosis pathophysiology and emerging therapeutics
topic Fibrosis
cirrhosis
hepatic stellate cell
reversal
transdifferentiation
senescence
apoptosis
url https://www.dovepress.com/let-my-liver-rather-heat-with-wine---a-review-of-hepatic-fibrosis-path-peer-reviewed-article-HMER
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