Hedgehog signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis

The incidence of liver disease continues to rise, and liver fibrosis, as the early stage of cirrhosis and liver cancer, has attracted much attention. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a key role in the progression of liver fibrosis. In the process of liver fibrosis, Hh signaling pathway is involved in several key pathological links. It can regulate the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), affect the remodeling of hepatic blood vessels, regulate the function of inflammatory cells and inflammatory response, promote the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT). Many studies have shown that Hh signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis, and related inhibitors have been shown to be effective in animal and cell experiments, but the precise mechanism of this pathway in liver fibrosis is still not fully understood, and the results of clinical trials are not clear. In the future, in-depth exploration of the role of Hh signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis and the injury mechanism to achieve safe and effective regulation of it is of great significance to optimize liver regeneration and prevent liver fibrosis deterioration, and is expected to provide a reliable basis for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.