Hepatic stellate cell (HSC)

Hepatic stellate cells are specialized mesenchymal cells found in the perisinusoidal space (space of Disse) of the liver, accounting for approximately 5–8% of total liver cells[1][4][7]. In the healthy state, they are quiescent and serve as the body’s main reservoir for vitamin A. Upon liver injury or inflammation, hepatic stellate cells activate, transforming into myofibroblast-like cells that proliferate, migrate, and secrete large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins, especially collagen—driving hepatic fibrosis and, when persistent, cirrhosis and liver cancer[1][2][6]. They also play roles in liver development, regeneration, immune response, and the regulation of vascular and epithelial cell function[3][4][7]. Due to their critical role as the principal source of fibrogenic myofibroblasts, hepatic stellate cells are a central therapeutic target for antifibrotic therapy in chronic liver disease, although no approved therapies currently target them directly[2][5][8].

Other names

Ito cellPerisinusoidal cellLipocyte

Suppression of HSC activation or fibrogenic transformation (e.g., induction of senescence, apoptosis, or reversion to quiescence); Immune-mediated clearance (e.g., enhanced NK/NKT cell cytotoxicity against activated HSCs)[2][8]