Figure 3.

Multiple cell types interact with HSCs and induce activation. Injury/damaged hepatocytes release ROS as well as other cytokines. Kupffer cells secrete pro‐inflammatory molecules such as TNF‐α, transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), and interleukin (IL)‐6. Similarly, resident and recruited lymphocytes as well as endothelial cells will also secrete proinflammatory signaling molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), platelet‐derived growth factor β (PDGF‐β), and a variety of ILs including IL‐12 and IL‐4. In turn, aHSCs will become proliferative and adopt a myofibroblast phenotype with collagen production, modification and cross‐linking as a major driver of fibrogenesis. CCL, chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand; IFN, interferon; TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.