Increased expression of the Glucose-transporter GLUT1 during hepatic stellate cell activation promotes hepatic fibrosis

Normal liver reveals only low expression of the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) 1. Recently, we have shown that GLUT1 expression is increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where GLUT1 acts as a tumor promotor. Hyperglycemia is one of the factors known to induce and promote hepatic fibrogenesis, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event of hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, these cells form and transduce the HCC stroma. The aim of this study was to assess the expression and functional role of GLUT1 in hepatic fibrosis. Methods and Results: Hepatic GLUT1 expression was significa…