Fig. 1
From: Mesenchymal stromal cells: promising treatment for liver cirrhosis
Pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is initiated by hepatic injury and the subsequent imbalance of ECM synthesis and degradation mediated by activated HSCs. Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of liver fibrosis. ECM, extracellular matrix; HSCs, hepatic stellate cells; TIMP, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β