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International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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Print ISSN: 1107-3756 Online ISSN: 1791-244X
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March-2026 Volume 57 Issue 3

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

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Review Open Access

Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Chang Gao
    • Guiqing Chen
    • Hongyan Jia
    • Hong Zhu
    • Yun Cai
    • Dakai Yang
    • Kai Zhao

  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University Jingjiang College, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China, Department of Gastroenterology, Jintan Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213200, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Gao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 62
    |
    Published online on: January 14, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5733
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Abstract

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), specialized liver‑resident pericytes, play pivotal roles in both liver fibrogenesis and regeneration. Following hepatic injury, quiescent HSCs undergo activation and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, which drive tissue remodeling and scar formation. Recent advances have uncovered notable phenotypic and functional heterogeneity within HSC populations, with distinct subsets displaying context‑dependent activation states and specialized functions across diverse liver pathologies. The present review synthesizes current insights into the dynamic spectrum of HSC phenotypes and the molecular mechanisms governing their plasticity, emphasizing the mechanisms through which niche‑specific signaling, epigenetic regulation and metabolic reprogramming coordinate their functional diversity. The present review further discuss emerging therapeutic strategies that leverage this heterogeneity to selectively target pathogenic HSC subsets, while preserving their homeostatic roles, thereby opening new avenues for precision anti‑fibrotic therapies and liver regeneration.

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Gao C, Chen G, Jia H, Zhu H, Cai Y, Yang D and Zhao K: <p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>. Int J Mol Med 57: 62, 2026.
APA
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., & Zhao, K. (2026). <p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 57, 62. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5733
MLA
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., Zhao, K."<p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 57.3 (2026): 62.
Chicago
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., Zhao, K."<p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 57, no. 3 (2026): 62. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5733
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Gao C, Chen G, Jia H, Zhu H, Cai Y, Yang D and Zhao K: <p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>. Int J Mol Med 57: 62, 2026.
APA
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., & Zhao, K. (2026). <p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 57, 62. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5733
MLA
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., Zhao, K."<p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 57.3 (2026): 62.
Chicago
Gao, C., Chen, G., Jia, H., Zhu, H., Cai, Y., Yang, D., Zhao, K."<p>Beyond hepatic stellate cell heterogeneity: Resolving fibrosis, restoring regeneration (Review)</p>". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 57, no. 3 (2026): 62. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5733
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