Figure 2.

The role of Hedgehog on the wound-healing response. Energy surplus leads to fat accumulation in the hepatocytes, which promote oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death. The injury of hepatocytes is promoted by an inflammatory state, among other factors, favored by a deregulated gut microbiota and increase in lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Injured and dying hepatocytes release hedgehog ligands (Hh) that act on the immune system increasing inflammation, in stellate cells and progenitors cells activating them and inducing fibrogenesis and pathways of hepatocarcinogenesis. Once started, the regenerative/repair response perpetuates through crosstalk between the different cell types involved.