Transitional Remodeling of the Hepatic Extracellular Matrix in Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury

Figure 2

Transitional remodeling of the hepatic ECM in ALD. Acute injury, such as acute (binge) alcohol exposure or low levels of alcohol exposure, causes formation of a transitional extracellular matrix through several known mechanisms, such as activation of the coagulation cascade. This transitional ECM, while it causes no overt changes in the architecture of the organ, may contribute to injury and inflammation. If the insult is removed, the transitional ECM may resolve back to a normal state. With continued disease progression, the transitional matrix may progress to a fibrotic matrix via increased ECM synthesis and blunted ECM degradation, ultimately leading to decreased liver function.