Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
08:56

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis

Published on: February 10, 2015

56.5K

Molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfection

Claudio M Mastroianni1, Miriam Lichtner2, Claudia Mascia3

  • 1Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. claudio.mastroianni@uniroma1.it.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

HIV/HCV coinfection accelerates liver fibrosis through complex mechanisms including viral effects and immune dysregulation. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing new treatments for liver disease in coinfected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of illness and death, particularly in individuals coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • HIV infection is known to accelerate liver fibrosis progression in HCV patients, even when HIV replication is suppressed by antiretroviral therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying accelerated liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfection.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis in coinfected individuals.
  • It examines various contributing factors, including viral effects, immune responses, and metabolic alterations.

Main Results:

  • Accelerated hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfection results from a multifactorial process.
  • Key mechanisms include direct viral impacts, immune dysregulation, altered matrix metalloproteinases, oxidative stress, hepatocyte apoptosis, gut CD4 cell depletion, and microbial translocation.
  • Metabolic changes, alcohol, and drug use may also contribute to disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the complex pathophysiology of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfection is essential.
  • This knowledge may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies to manage liver disease in coinfected patients.

More Related Videos

Establishment of the Dual Humanized TK-NOG Mouse Model for HIV-associated Liver Pathogenesis10:12

Establishment of the Dual Humanized TK-NOG Mouse Model for HIV-associated Liver Pathogenesis

Published on: September 11, 2019

8.0K
Development of an Ethanol-induced Fibrotic Liver Model in Zebrafish to Study Progenitor Cell-mediated Hepatocyte Regeneration10:42

Development of an Ethanol-induced Fibrotic Liver Model in Zebrafish to Study Progenitor Cell-mediated Hepatocyte Regeneration

Published on: May 13, 2016

8.6K

Related Concept Videos

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...
41
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver.
80
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...
28
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
382
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...
4.1K
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion...
22