Table 1.
Cellular phenotype changes induced by ECM stiffness
| Cell type | Phenotypic response to stiffness | |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatocytes | Differentiated and growth arrested | Dedifferentiated and proliferative |
| Stellate cells | Adipocyte like, quiescent, fibrolytic | Myofibroblastic, fibrogenic and proliferative |
| Portal fibroblasts | Minimal proliferation and minimal fibrogenesis | Myofibroblastic, fibrogenic and proliferative |
| Sinusoidal endothelial cells | Normal fenestration | Altered fenestration (?) |
| Kupffer cells | Response unknown | |
| Biliary epithelial cells | Response unknown | |
Adapted from Wells (2008b)