Keratinocyte growth factor inhibits hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in murine models of hepatic injury

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) plays a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival, in response to injury and tissue repair. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event of hepatic fibrosis, and we have previously shown that KGF expression is upregulated during the activation of HSCs. However, no data exist on the expression and function of KGF in chronic liver disease. This aim of this study was characterize the role of KGF in liver fibrosis. Methods and Results: KGF-deficient (KGF-ko) and wildtype (wt) control mice were subjected to two models of…