Advances in the research of pathogenic mechanisms in hepatic fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis is a wound healing response to chronic liver injury. The most characteristic feature of hepatic fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in liver. It is well known that the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event in the process of hepatic fibrosis. Fibrogenic cells,cytokines,growth factors,enzymes, and their inhibitors play a pivotal role in fibrogenesis.These will advance our recognition for pathogenic mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis.