New Insights into the Extracellular Matrix. -- Dynamic Regulation of Basement Membrane Collagen IV Gene Expression in Malignant Tumors. -- Regulation of Phenotypes of Human AortaEndothelial Cells and Smooth Muscle Cells in Culture by Type IV Collage Aggregates. -- Functions of Proteoglycan/Glycosaminoglycan in Liver; SPARC, A Matricellular Protein that Regulates Cell-Matrix Interaction: Implications for Vascular and Connective Tissue Biology. -- Cells Responsible for ECM Production in the Liver. Different Hepatic Cell Populations of the Fibroblast Lineage with Fibrogenic Potential. -- Role of Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in Liver Inflammation and Repair. -- Molecular Mechanism of Stellate Cell Activation and ECM Remodeling. -- Role of Histone Deacetylases in Transcriptional Control of the Hepatic Stellate Cell Phenotype. Knockout Mice of Matrix Metalloproteinase Genes. Stem Cells Expressing MMP-13 mRNA Appear During Regression Reversal of Hepatic Cirrhosis.
Extracellular Matrix of the Liver addresses the basic science of the extracellular matrix and discusses new strategies for the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, with a primary focus on possible gene therapy approaches. The chapters are divided into six sections as follows: * Basic Science of Extracellular Matrix * Cells Responsible for Extracellular Matrix Production * Activation Mechanism of Hepatic Cells and Signal Transduction * Basic Science for Extracellular Matrix Metabolism including Enzymes and their Inhibitors * Matrix Mettaloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors for Matrix Mettaloproteinases * New Strategies for the treatment of Liver Cirrhosis Key Features * Discusses the possibility of gene therapy for liver cirrhosis * Includes information on new aspects of hepatic stellate cells * Written by top experts in basic science and clinical hepatology.