Ekihiro Seki, MD, PhD
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Innate Immune and Extracellular Matrix Regulation of Liver Fibrosis
Excessive production and deposition of extracellular matrix are major features of liver fibrosis. In liver fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells is the key driver. Dr. Seki has reported that the innate immune signal sensor TLR4 promotes TGF-beta signaling and liver fibrosis. In chronic liver disease, intestine-derived LPS is translocated to the liver and activates hepatic immune cells and stellate cells. In addition to LPS, extracellular matrix can also be an activator of stellate cells. Dr. Seki will discuss new information about the potential of hyaluronan as a driver and therapeutic target of liver fibrosis.
Host: Jacquelyn Maher, MD