<i>Gli2</i>-regulated activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis by TGF-β signaling

Abstract

Gli2 is a key transcription effector of Hh signaling. We found that Hh/Gli2 signaling activity was upregulated in CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis. Conditional deletion of the Gli2 gene in HSCs ameliorated CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis and HSCs activation. Moreover, Gli2 promoted activation of HSCs through upregulation of cyclin expression and TGF-β signaling activity. Thus, our data provide strong support for future investigations on Gli2 inhibition to slow liver fibrosis progression in humans.