Role of integrins in fibrosing liver diseases

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2011 Sep;301(3):G425-34. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00050.2011. Epub 2011 Jun 9.

Abstract

Integrins and other cell adhesion molecules regulate numerous physiological and pathological mechanisms by mediating the interaction between cells and their extracellular environment. Although the significance of integrins in the evolution and progression of certain cancers is well recognized, their involvement in nonmalignant processes, such as organ fibrosis or inflammation, is only beginning to emerge. However, accumulating evidence points to an instrumental role of integrin-mediated signaling in a variety of chronic and acute noncancerous diseases, particularly of the liver.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / physiopathology
  • Fatty Liver / physiopathology
  • Fibrosis
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / physiology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Integrins / physiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology*
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / physiopathology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Integrins