Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are implicated in multiple fibrotic mechanisms.

ABSTRACT

Chronic liver diseases are attributed to liver injury. Development of fibrosis from chronic liver diseases is a dynamic process that involves multiple molecular and cellular processes. As the first to be impacted by injury, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases caused by a variety of etiologies. Moreover, capillarization of LSECs has been recognized as an important event in the development of chronic liver diseases and fibrosis. Studies have reported that various cytokines (such as vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-ß), and pathways (such as hedgehog, and Notch), as well as epigenetic and metabolic factors are involved in the development of LSEC-mediated liver fibrosis. This review describes the complexity and plasticity of LSECs in fibrotic liver diseases from several perspectives, including the cross-talk between LSECs and other intra-hepatic cells. Moreover, it summarizes the mechanisms of several kinds of LSECs-targeting anti-fibrosis chemicals, and provides a theoretical basis for future studies.