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Updated: May 2, 2026

Development of an Ethanol-induced Fibrotic Liver Model in Zebrafish to Study Progenitor Cell-mediated Hepatocyte Regeneration
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Cellular and molecular mechanisms in liver fibrogenesis

Erica Novo1, Stefania Cannito1, Claudia Paternostro1

  • 1University of Torino, Dept. Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Corso Raffaello 30, 10125 Torino, Italy.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|March 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Liver fibrogenesis, a key process in chronic liver disease, involves activated hepatic myofibroblasts and complex signaling pathways. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for potentially reversing liver damage and preventing cirrhosis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Liver fibrogenesis drives chronic liver diseases (CLD) toward cirrhosis and failure.
  • Hepatic myofibroblasts (MFs) are central effector cells, originating from activated hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts.
  • Key pro-fibrogenic mechanisms include wound healing, oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex molecular and cellular network driving liver fibrogenesis.
  • To highlight emerging and debated factors influencing CLD progression.
  • To discuss the role of novel determinants like hypoxia, inflammasomes, and immune cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on liver fibrogenesis.
  • Analysis of molecular, cellular, and tissue-level processes involved in fibrosis.
  • Identification and discussion of key signaling pathways and cellular players.

Main Results:

  • MFs exhibit proliferative, survival, contractile, and immune-modulating functions.
  • Epithelial to mesenchymal transition and Hedgehog signaling are debated fibrogenic pathways.
  • Hypoxia, angiogenesis, inflammasomes, adipokines, autophagy, and specific immune cells (NK, NKT) are emerging determinants.

Conclusions:

  • Liver fibrogenesis is a complex, potentially reversible process involving multiple integrated mechanisms.
  • Understanding these diverse factors is essential for developing targeted therapies for CLD.
  • Further research into novel pathways and cellular interactions is needed to combat liver fibrosis effectively.
Keywords:
Chronic inflammationChronic liver injuryExtracellular matrixFibrogenic mechanismsHepatic myofibroblastsLiver fibrogenesis

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