Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a common pathological process caused by various acute and chronic liver injury factors, which is mainly characterized by inflammation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to liver fibrosis helps develop better treatments. The exosome is a crucial vesicle secreted by almost all cells, containing nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, cytokines, and other bioactive components, which play an important role in the transmission of intercellular material and information. Recent studies have shown the relevance of exosomes in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, and exosomes dominate an essential role in hepatic fibrosis. In this review, we systematically analyze and summarize exosomes from diverse cell sources as potential promoters, inhibitors, and even treatments for hepatic fibrosis to provide a clinical reference for exosomes as the diagnostic target or therapeutic means of hepatic fibrosis.
Keywords: Exosome; Hepatic stellate cell; Hepatocyte; Immune cell; Liver fibrosis; Mesenchymal stem cell.
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.