Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
07:26
Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
Published on: January 31, 2025
Hedgehog signaling in the liver.
Alessia Omenetti1, Steve Choi, Gregory Michelotti
1Gastroenterology Division, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Journal of Hepatology
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway reactivation in adult liver injury promotes regeneration but also drives fibrogenesis and cancer. Further research is crucial for understanding Hh signaling in liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is essential for embryonic development.
- Hh pathway reactivation occurs in adult liver injury, influencing progenitor cell fate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of Hedgehog signaling in liver injury, regeneration, and disease.
- To highlight the need for further investigation into Hh pathway's impact on liver pathologies.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of current experimental and clinical data.
- Analysis of existing literature on Hh signaling in liver contexts.
Main Results:
- Hh pathway activation promotes liver progenitor cell expansion for regeneration.
- Conversely, Hh signaling contributes to hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular remodeling.
- Evidence suggests Hh signaling involvement in primary liver cancers like cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- Hedgehog signaling has dual effects in liver injury: promoting regeneration while exacerbating fibrotic and oncogenic processes.
- The role of Hh signaling in liver disease pathogenesis requires extensive further research.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
01:24Liver Regeneration
The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...