Cathepsin K Alleviates Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway and Inducing Hepatic Stellate Cell Apoptosis
Our study demonstrates that elevated CTSK functions as an endogenous protective factor that attenuates liver fibrosis. CTSK mediates negative feedback inhibition of the TGF-β pathway while concurrently promoting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The dual anti-fibrotic mechanisms identify CTSK as a promising therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
Authors
- Congyue Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7498-6576)
- Shaoya Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6917-4867)
- Qianqian Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1760-4906)
- Zhandong Lin
- YueMin Nan
- Yaoyao Mao
- Yue Shi
- Yukai Chen
- Mengjiao Sun
- Jiawei Cui
- Ying Zhang
Institutions
- Hebei Medical University (CN)
- Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology
- Published
- 2026-01-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.14218/jcth.2025.00592
- Primary Topic
- Liver physiology and pathology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00