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Modulating a specific protein could lead to new liver disease treatments

liver
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In research published in The FASEB Journal, scientists have discovered that a molecule called Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays a key role in the development of liver scarring, or fibrosis, by influencing the behavior of premature cells called liver progenitor cells.

By manipulating YAP expression in these cells, the investigators were able to improve the cells' ability to regenerate and repair liver tissue.

"Collectively, our findings indicate that liver progenitor cells' expansion and differentiation during liver could be modulated by YAP, further suggesting the possibility of manipulating YAP expression in these cells as a potential treatment for ," said corresponding author Xiaobo Cai, MD, Ph.D., of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in China.

More information: Yes-associated protein promotes the proliferation and differentiation of liver progenitor cells during liver fibrosis, The FASEB Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201919R

Journal information: FASEB Journal
Provided by Wiley
Citation: Modulating a specific protein could lead to new liver disease treatments (2023, April 19) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-modulating-specific-protein-liver-disease.html
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