Figure 1.

Altered expression pattern of microRNAs during myofibroblastic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) store 80% of the body vitamin A in fat droplets. In response to chronic liver injury, HSCs undergo myofibroblastic transition. During this process, the phenotype and function of HSCs is considerably changed, including loss of vitamin A storage, proliferation, cytoskeleton alteration and synthesis of ECM, leading to a myofibroblast phenotype with enhanced matrix deposition and contractility. This process is accompanied by an altered miRNA expression pattern. miRNAs, prominently downregulated (blue arrow), and miRNAs shown to be upregulated (red arrow) during myofibroblastic activation are indicated.