Figure 8: A model depicting the impact of HSCs on NK cell anti-fibrotic functions in LC patients with HBV infection. | Scientific Reports

Figure 8: A model depicting the impact of HSCs on NK cell anti-fibrotic functions in LC patients with HBV infection.

From: Activated hepatic stellate cells impair NK cell anti-fibrosis capacity through a TGF-β-dependent emperipolesis in HBV cirrhotic patients

Figure 8

In advanced liver fibrosis, activated HSCs generally produce a large amount of TGF-β that might suppress NK cell anti-fibrotic functions, such as degranulation, IFN-γ production and killing activity against HSCs. The HSCs might then internalize these functionally impaired NK cells in an emperipolesis-dependent manner, thus promoting the progression of liver fibrosis.

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