Hepatic fibrosis is a pathophysiological process, which causes excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition resulting from persistent liver damage. Myofibroblasts are the core cells that produce ECM. It is known that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is not a simple transition of cells from the epithelial to mesenchymal state. Instead, it is a process, in which epithelial cells temporarily lose cell polarity, transform into interstitial cell-like morphology, and acquire migration ability. Hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and bile duct cells are the types of intrahepatic cells found in the liver. They can be transformed into myofibroblasts via EMT and play important roles in the development of hepatic fibrosis through a maze of regulations involving various pathways. The aim of the present study is to explore the relationship between the relevant regulatory factors and the EMT signaling pathways in the various intrahepatic cells.

肝纤维化是一种病理生理过程，会由于持续的肝损伤而导致过多的细胞外基质（ECM）沉积。成肌纤维细胞是产生ECM的核心细胞。众所周知，上皮-间质转化（EMT）不是细胞从上皮状态向间质状态的简单转变。相反，这是一个过程，其中上皮细胞暂时失去细胞极性，转变为间质细胞样形态，并获得迁移能力。肝细胞，肝星状细胞和胆管细胞是在肝脏中发现的肝内细胞的类型。它们可以转化成肌成纤维细胞经EMT通过涉及各种途径的法规迷宫在肝纤维化的发展中发挥重要作用。本研究的目的是探讨各种肝内细胞中相关调节因子与EMT信号通路之间的关系。