ABSTRACT
A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) is a scaffold protein that improves the specificity and efficiency of spatio-temporal signals by assembling intracellular signal proteins into specific complexes. In recent years, the role of AKAP12 in chronic liver diseases has attracted more and more attention. This article introduces the physiological functions of AKAP12 and reviews the role of AKAP12 in chronic liver diseases, in order to lay a foundation for the use of AKAP12 small molecule as a new therapeutic target for chronic liver diseases.
ABSTRACT
Liver fibrosis (LF) is a pathological process of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix caused by chronic liver injury and inflammation. HSC activation is the core mechanism of LF, and inhibiting HSC activation is the key to promoting the reversal of LF. In recent years, rapid development has been achieved for the application of nanomedicine targeting HSC in the treatment of LF. This article mainly introduces nanomedicine, the mechanism of action of nanomedicine in the treatment of LF, and potential targets, and it is pointed out that nanomedicine may become a new method for the treatment of LF.