Overview of MeCP2 role in liver fibrosis.
MeCP2 upregulates expression of EZH2 resulting in silencing of the PPARgamma gene; MeCP2 also positively regulates expression of histone methyltransferase, ASH1, which is involved in activation of profibrogenic genes (TGFβ1, TIMP-1, Col1a1, αSMA) by trimethylating H3K4. In addition, MeCP2 promotes liver fibrosis by repressing expression of RASAL1, PTEN and PTCH1, which causes activation of ERK and Shh-Gli1 pathways and consequently leads to HSC activation.