Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen
09:44

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen

Published on: November 27, 2019

11.3K

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 in liver diseases

Yan Wang1, Aijuan Qu2, Hua Wang3

  • 11. Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034;

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|March 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) plays a role in liver injury and disease. Targeting STAT4 may offer new therapies for liver conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a key signaling molecule.
  • STAT4 activation is observed in various liver injury models and chronic liver diseases.
  • STAT4 gene variations are linked to outcomes in hepatitis C, drug-induced liver injury, and liver cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functional roles of STAT4 in liver disease pathogenesis.
  • To highlight STAT4's involvement in hepatic anti-viral responses, inflammation, and cell fate.
  • To explore STAT4 as a therapeutic target for liver diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of STAT4's function in liver diseases.
  • Analysis of STAT4's role in gene regulation, dimerization, and nuclear translocation.
  • Examination of STAT4's association with cytokines and disease progression.

Main Results:

  • STAT4 activation is prevalent in liver injury and chronic liver diseases.
  • STAT4 influences hepatic anti-viral responses, inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis.
  • STAT4 gene polymorphisms correlate with disease outcomes and treatment responses.

Conclusions:

  • STAT4 is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse liver diseases.
  • Understanding STAT4 signaling is crucial for comprehending liver disease progression.
  • Targeting the STAT4 pathway presents a potential therapeutic strategy for liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Keywords:
STAT4chronic hepatitiscytokineshepatocellular carcinoma.liver fibrosisliver injury

More Related Videos

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis08:58

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis

Published on: March 11, 2017

17.2K
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

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
6.5K
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
263
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell 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...
17.4K
Liver Physiology01:30

Liver Physiology

The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of  70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
4.4K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
8.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
5.1K