Blockade of the sympathicus by inhibition of beta-adrenoreceptors results in delayed fibrosis in MDR2 knockout mice

Transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) into myofibroblastic cells is one of the central mechanisms of liver fibrogenesis. Activated myofibroblastic cells are the main producers of extracellular matrix. Recent reports have shown that HSC express neurotrophic mediators after myofibroblastic activation and that blockade of the sympathetic signalling reduces the fibrogenic activity of HSC in vitro and in experimental fibrosis. In the presented study we investigated the role of the sympathetic innervation in the MDR2 knockout model, developing periportal, cholestatic fibrosis thereby mimicking primary s…