Mechanism of action of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in the development and progression of liver fibrosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Liver fibrosis and end-stage liver cirrhosis are often accompanied by liver hypoxia. As a key transcription factor for regulating the body’s response to hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays an important role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In addition, downregulation of HIF-1α expression can alleviate liver fibrosis and thus HIF-1α is expected to become a new target for the treatment of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the association between HIF-1α and liver fibrosis-related signaling pathways and genes and further discusses the potential of HIF-1α as a new therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.