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.

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.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

Elsevier ScienceDirect All Books