Publication
Title
Angiogenesis in chronic liver disease and its complications
Author
Abstract
Nowadays, liver cancer, cirrhosis and other liver-related diseases are the fifth most common cause of mortality in the UK. Furthermore, chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are one of the major causes of death, which are still increasing year-on-year. Therefore, knowledge about the pathophysiology of CLDs and its complications is of uttermost importance. The goal of this review is to clarify the role of angiogenesis in the disease progression of various liver diseases. Looking closer at the pathophysiology of portal hypertension (PH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we find that angiogenesis is a recurring factor in the disease progression. In PH, several factors involved in its pathogenesis, such as hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation and shear stress are potential mediators for the angiogenic response. The progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, the end-point of CLDs, is distinguished by a prolonged inflammatory and fibrogenic process that leads to an abnormal angioarchitecture distinctive for cirrhosis. In several stages of NASH, a link might be made between the disease progression and hepatic microvasculature changes. HCC is one of the most vascular solid tumours in which angiogenesis plays an important role in its development, progression and metastasis. The close relationship between the progression of CLDs and angiogenesis emphasises the need for anti-angiogenic therapy as a tool for blocking or slowing down the disease progression. The fact that angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in CLDs gives rise to new opportunities for treating CLDs and its complications.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Liver international. - Copenhagen, 2003, currens
Publication
Hoboken : Wiley-blackwell , 2011
ISSN
1478-3223 [print]
1478-3231 [online]
DOI
10.1111/J.1478-3231.2010.02369.X
Volume/pages
31 :2 (2011) , p. 146-162
ISI
000285879300002
Pubmed ID
21073649
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Research group
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 15.02.2024
Last edited 27.08.2024
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