Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Isolation of Rat Portal Fibroblasts by In situ Liver Perfusion
07:39

Isolation of Rat Portal Fibroblasts by In situ Liver Perfusion

Published on: June 29, 2012

Liver fibrogenic cells

Stuart J Forbes1, Maurizio Parola

  • 1MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. sforbes2@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|April 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Myofibroblasts (MFs) drive chronic liver disease progression and cirrhosis by promoting fibrogenesis. These cells, originating from hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts, contribute to excess matrix deposition and inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Hepatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Myofibroblasts (MFs) are key fibrogenic cells in chronic liver diseases (CLDs).
  • MFs contribute to liver fibrosis progression and cirrhosis.
  • Their heterogeneity and origins are crucial for understanding liver pathobiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of myofibroblasts in liver fibrogenesis.
  • To explore the origins and phenotypic plasticity of hepatic myofibroblasts.
  • To investigate the involvement of MFs in liver cancer immunology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on myofibroblast biology in liver disease.
  • Analysis of cellular origins and activation pathways.
  • Examination of MFs' interactions with extracellular matrix, growth factors, and immune cells.

Main Results:

  • MFs exhibit diverse origins, primarily hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts, with potential contributions from bone marrow stem cells.
  • MFs promote fibrogenesis through matrix deposition, growth factor release, inflammation, and neo-angiogenesis.
  • Hepatic MFs modulate immune responses in hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer.

Conclusions:

  • MFs are central drivers of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
  • Understanding MFs' origins and functions is critical for therapeutic strategies.
  • MFs play a complex role in liver cancer immunity, warranting further investigation.

More Related Videos

Murine Precision-Cut Liver Slices as an Ex Vivo Model of Liver Biology12:36

Murine Precision-Cut Liver Slices as an Ex Vivo Model of Liver Biology

Published on: March 14, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver 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...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Liver Histology01:27

Liver Histology

The microscopic anatomy of the liver is a complex and intricate system that comprises numerous structural units known as liver lobules, each of which is comparable in size to a sesame seed. These hexagonal structures consist of plates of liver cells or hepatocytes, which are characterized by their versatility and abundance of cellular apparatus like rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells01:23

Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells

After cellular or tissue damage, the resident stem cells present in the human body can locally repair and regenerate the damaged tissue or organ. However, even though some tissues do not have stem cells, they can repair and regenerate with the help of pre-existing cells. For example, beta cells of the pancreas and hepatocytes of the liver can divide to renew and regenerate the tissue. Here, both cell division and cell death are well regulated by homeostasis.
However, failure of such a system...