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Hepatic Stellate Cell

Meaning

The Hepatic Stellate Cell, also known as the Ito cell, is a perisinusoidal liver cell primarily responsible for storing vitamin A and regulating the extracellular matrix in the hepatic parenchyma. In a healthy liver, these cells are quiescent, but upon liver injury or chronic inflammation, they undergo activation and transform into myofibroblast-like cells. This activation is the central pathological event in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, a condition that severely impairs the liver’s capacity to metabolize and clear hormones. Consequently, stellate cell dysfunction profoundly impacts systemic endocrine balance and overall metabolic health.