A transient increase in c-myc precedes the transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblast-like cells

Abstract

This study shows a high initial level of c-fos expression and a transient increase in c-myc expression followed by a decrease to lower levels prior to transdifferentiation and collagen production by stellate cells. A total loss of retinoid autofluorescence or a decrease in RAR-alpha or RAR-beta are not required for initial transdifferentiation of stellate cells or collagen production.