Chapter 4 Cell injury, inflammation and repair/Fig 4.30.jpg

You can download this figure by right-clicking it and choosing 'Save Picture As...'

Role of hepatic stellate cells in liver injury. Quiescent stellate cells contain abundant cytoplasmic lipid (vitamin A). In response to a number of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), proteins from dead hepatocytes and acetaldehyde, the cells proliferate, lose cytoplasmic fat and begin to resemble myofibroblasts. There is increased production of matrix proteins together with a reduction in activity of metalloproteinases which degrade the matrix. The net result is accumulation of collagen and other matrix proteins.