Liver fibrosis and chronic viral hepatitis

Arch Med Res. 2007 Aug;38(6):644-51. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.10.001.

Abstract

Liver fibrosis results from chronic damage to the liver in conjunction with the progressive accumulation of fibrillar extracellular matrix proteins. Fibrosis progression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis is a dynamic process where hepatic stellate cells, the most important contributor cell type, respond to a variety of host genetic factors and viral proteins. The abuse of alcohol, superimposed fatty liver disease, and age at the time of viral infection are some of the factors that accelerate liver fibrosis. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard to diagnose fibrosis and significant advances have been made to develop noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Hepacivirus / metabolism
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Hepatitis B virus / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus / pathogenicity
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Viral Proteins