(2007) Severe fibrosis and increased expression of fibrogenic ... growth factor β (TGF-β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and endothelin 1 (ET1), as well as the extent of collagen ...

Proliferating HSCs further respond to stimuli derived from scar-associated macrophages and produce collagens and extracellular matrix, thereby promoting liver fibrosis. aHSCs, activated HSCs; PDGF ...