IFN-γ Abrogates Profibrogenic TGF-β Signaling in the Liver by Targeting the Expression of Pathway-Restricted and Inhibitory Smads

In chronic liver disease, approaches opposing profibrogenic activities of TGF-β may be amenable. According to experimental models IFN-γ counteracts several TGF-β effects. Here, the impact of IFN-γ on hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection with emphasis on IFN-γ signaling during activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) was investigated. In a randomized open-label multicenter trial 83 chronically HBV infected patients were included, 54 patients received a nine-month IFN-γ treatment, whereas 29 patients served as controls. Histology and serum indices displayed a beneficial out…