Contribution of Liver Nonparenchymal Cells to Hepatic Fibrosis: Interactions with the Local Microenvironment
1University of Arkansas, Little Rock, USA
2University of Kansas, Kansas City, USA
3Harvard University, Boston, USA
4University of Queensland, Greenslopes, Australia
Contribution of Liver Nonparenchymal Cells to Hepatic Fibrosis: Interactions with the Local Microenvironment
Description
Hepatic fibrosis is an intrinsic wound healing response to chronic liver injury of various etiologies. This pathologic process is characterized by inflammation, scarring, and vascular remodeling and is mainly driven by a specialized, yet heterogeneous, population of hepatic effector cells known as liver myofibroblasts. Following tissue or cell injury, liver myofibroblasts undergo differentiation to produce matrix components and simultaneously become increasingly sensitive to autocrine and paracrine fibrogenic signals. Although research studies have identified numerous candidate molecules, there is no therapy currently available to prevent and treat hepatic fibrosis in patients. A better understanding of this intricate interplay between liver myofibroblasts and their surrounding microenvironment within the liver is key for the development of innovative molecular tools, useful animal models, and effective treatments for hepatic fibrosis.
We invite authors to submit original research and review articles that seek to define cell-to-cell or cell-to-matrix interactions involving liver myofibroblasts as primary fibrogenic effector cells, or other liver nonparenchymal cells that regulate liver myofibroblast functions in the setting of hepatic fibrosis. We are interested in articles that explore molecular aspects of liver myofibroblast biology in humans and in animal models.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Development and testing of novel and effective antifibrotic therapies
- Identification of new therapeutic targets in liver myofibroblasts and other liver nonparenchymal cells
- Identification of biomarkers/correlates of liver fibrosis progression and resolution
- New cellular and animal models to test and understand liver fibrosis
- Identifying mechanisms in liver myofibroblasts and other liver nonparenchymal cells promoting disease progression and resolution