Models of liver fibrosis: exploring the dynamic nature of inflammation and repair in a solid organ
John P. Iredale
John P. Iredale
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Models of liver fibrosis: exploring the dynamic nature of inflammation and repair in a solid organ

Abstract

Models of liver fibrosis, which include cell culture models, explanted and biopsied human material, and experimental animal models, have demonstrated that liver fibrosis is a highly dynamic example of solid organ wound healing. Recent work in human and animal models has shown that liver fibrosis is potentially reversible and, in specific circumstances, demonstrates resolution with a restoration of near normal architecture. This Review highlights the manner in which studies of models of liver fibrosis have contributed to the paradigm of dynamic wound healing in this solid organ.

Authors

John P. Iredale

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Figure 4

Liver cirrhosis is an example of dynamic wound healing.

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Liver cirrhosis is an example of dynamic wound healing. Damage to the no...
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 BMJ (3).