Activated hepatic stellate cells promote growth and inhibit apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cirrhosis is the main risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC)/myofibroblasts are the effector cells of hepatic fibrosis and secrete several growth factors known to be mitogenic. It has been shown previously that the stroma of HCC is infiltrated as well as encapsulated by activated HSC/ myofibroblasts. However, so far little is known about the interaction of activated HSC and HCC cells. Here we aimed to analyze the effects of activated HSC on the proliferation and growth of HCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We analyzed the interac…