Hepatic stellate cells articles from across Nature Portfolio

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drive liver fibrosis and are closely linked to liver cancer development. This comprehensive Review provides an in-depth analysis of the specific characteristics of HSCs in cancer, highlighting therapeutic implications based on progress in clarifying HSC biology.

Tackling fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis, is critical in improving patient outcomes. This Perspective discusses potential strategies to develop better antifibrotic therapies in NASH, from the discovery process to future clinical trials.

Human iPSCs are differentiated into HSCs by culture with growth factors. They respond to fibrogenic stimuli, arising as a new source of HSC-like cells for in vitro modeling. Subsequent coculture with hepatocytes facilitates self-assembly into 3D hepatic spheroids.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer mortality. Modulation of tumour metabolism may represent a novel therapeutic strategy. Hexokinase 1, secreted into extracellular vesicles by activated hepatic stellate cells, is shown to be taken up by tumour cells, where it accelerates glycolysis and HCC growth.

A new study demonstrates a novel role for an endocannabinoid in promoting hepatocyte steatosis. The study describes a mode of bidirectional communication between the alcohol-injured hepatocyte and the glutamate-activated hepatic stellate cell. This intercellular communication represents a novel targetable pathogenic mechanism that could lead to new strategies to prevent fatty liver disease progression to cirrhosis.