The study was inspired by two findings: (i) that PDGF appears as a pro-fibrotic factor through its ability to stimulate hepatic stellate cells, the activation of which leads to fibrogenesis, and (ii) that FSAP down-regulates the activity of PDGF through cleavage.

The authors analysed the role of FSAP in chronic liver injury in a murine model. They found that FSAP in the liver was transiently increased in the acute phase reaction but decreased during chronic fibrogenesis. The latter may result in increased PDGF-induced myoblast activity, thus promoting fibrogenesis.

Authors and Source:
Roderfeld et al., Liver Int 2009 May;29(5):686-91

Title:
Altered factor VII activating protease expression in murine hepatic fibrosis and its influence on hepatic stellate cells