Biology of hepatic stellate cells and their possible relevance in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in cirrhosis

In the past 10 years we have witnessed an exponential increase in the knowl edge on the development and progression of liver fibrosis. At present, live r fibrogenesis is referred to as a dynamic process involving complex cellul ar and molecular mechanisms, resulting from the chronic activation of the t issue repair mechanisms that follows reiterated liver tissue injury. The id entification and characterization of the cell types and of the different me diators involved in this process has allowed a "revisitation" of several is sues related to liver cirrhosis and its immediate consequences. Among these , evaluation of the relationships occurring between fibrogenesis and portal hypertension, cholestasis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma represent some of the hottest areas of research in the field of hepatology . Our aim is to establish a link between the available knowledge on the bio logy of hepatic stellate cells and their possible implication in the genesi s and progression of portal hypertension.