ABSTRACT
The threats to human health caused by climate change have become a global public health issue. However, at present, most studies regarding the health-related mechanisms of climate change are limited to biological mechanisms, and most of these mechanisms are not totally clear. In this special column: Mechanisms underlying human health effects of climate change, we offered several papers which investigated the effects of different meteorological factors (temperature and rainfall) on various health outcomes (preterm birth, death, diarrhea, infectious diseases, etc.), and also elaborated associated potential biological mechanisms, vulnerability mechanisms, social driving process and transmission dynamics mechanisms. These studies can deepen our understanding of the health effects of climate change, provide references to make targeted adaptative measures, and also provide scientific and technological supports for improving ability to address the health risks of climate change in China.
ABSTRACT
Hedgehog pathway is an osteogenesis-related signaling pathway . During embryonic development , it regulates the growth and proliferation of progenitor cells and tissue formation. This pathway can be activated during liver injury. Activated Hedge-hog signaling pathway is involved in many aspects of liver wound-healing responses, including hepatic progenitor cell pro-liferation, myofibroblast transdifferentiation, apoptosis of various types of liver cells, inflammatory reactions, and vascular remod-eling. This article reviews the research progress in the role of Hedgehog signaling pathway in liver injury and the underlying mechanisms. The potential drug targets are also discussed. This review is to provide novel insights into antifibrotic research and therapeutic targets.