Novel Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Fibrotic Liver

Figure 1

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the normal and fibrotic liver. In normal liver, quiescent HSC (qHSC) stores vitamin A and it is also responsible for the secretion of non-fibril-forming collagens, which gives functional support to the liver. In the fibrotic liver, qHSCs are phenotypically activated (activated HSCs (aHSCs)) and acquire myofibroblast (MFB) phenotype. The aHSCs are responsible for the enhanced secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) via modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein; α-SMA: alpha-smooth muscle actin; PDGF: platelet-derived growth factor; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-beta; ET-1: endothelin 1; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma.