Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in hepatic fibrosis

LD DeLeve - Hepatology, 2015 - journals.lww.com
Capillarization, lack of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) fenestration, and formation of
an organized basement membrane not only precedes fibrosis, but is also permissive for
hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis. Thus, dysregulation of the LSEC phenotype is a
critical step in the fibrotic process. Both a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐
stimulated, nitric oxide (NO)‐independent pathway and a VEGF‐stimulated NO‐dependent
pathway are necessary to maintain the differentiated LSEC phenotype. The NO‐dependent …