Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 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

Origin of myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis

David A Brenner1, Tatiana Kisseleva1, David Scholten1

  • 1University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.

Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Liver fibrosis, a hallmark of chronic liver disease, involves myofibroblasts producing scar tissue. Their precise origin in liver fibrosis remains an active area of research and investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Cell Biology
  • Fibrosis Research

Background:

  • Chronic liver diseases lead to progressive liver fibrosis.
  • Myofibroblasts are key cells in producing the fibrous scar tissue (extracellular matrix, including type I collagen) characteristic of liver fibrosis.
  • Myofibroblasts are present early in liver injury, but their origin in fibrosis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the origin of myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis.
  • To explore potential sources of myofibroblasts, including endogenous mesenchymal cells, bone marrow recruitment, and cell transformation.
  • To consider if myofibroblast origins differ among various chronic liver disease etiologies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental and clinical studies on liver fibrosis.
  • Analysis of research investigating myofibroblast origins in different liver disease models.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on hepatic stellate cell activation, bone marrow-derived cell contribution, and epithelial-to-myofibroblast transition.

Main Results:

  • Myofibroblasts are central to scar formation in liver fibrosis.
  • Several potential origins for myofibroblasts exist, including hepatic stellate cells and potentially other cell types.
  • The specific origin of myofibroblasts may vary depending on the underlying cause of liver disease.

Conclusions:

  • The origin of myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis is complex and likely multifactorial.
  • Understanding myofibroblast origins is crucial for developing targeted therapies for liver fibrosis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the distinct pathways contributing to myofibroblast populations in diverse chronic liver diseases.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue06:59

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue

Published on: October 12, 2013

Related Concept Videos

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 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...
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...
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...
Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts01:13

Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts

De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
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...