Damage to the normal liver (i) results in inflammation and activation of HSCs (ii; identified by immunohistochemistry, with staining for α-SMA [brown]) to secrete fibrillar collagens, culminating in the development of fibrosis (iii) and ultimately cirrhosis (iv). Withdrawal of the injurious agent can allow remodeling of the fibrillar matrix, leading to attenuated cirrhosis (v). Spontaneous resolution of fibrosis after removal of injury results in a return to near-normal architecture (vi). Whether complete resolution of cirrhosis can occur is currently unknown. Figure modified with permission from