Quando a fibrose hepática se torna uma doença...

Hepatic extracellular matrix in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani

“…In the liver, the interaction between the ECM and cells is essential for normal homeostasis and for the maintenance of lobular architecture; modification of the ECM results in deranged hepatic function. The ECM content of the liver has been shown to undergo quantitative and qualitative changes in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis (Rojkind et al, 1979, Grimaud 1970, Grimaud et al, 1987, Biagini & Ballardini, 1989, Schuppan, 1990, Friedman & Bissell, 1990, Chojkier, 1993, Martinez-Hernandez & Amenta, 1993b. In particular, hepatic type IV collagen and laminin levels were reported to be significantly higher in all types of liver disease, and increased with the progression of fibrosis (Tsutsumi et al, 1993).…”