Relaxin inhibits effective collagen deposition by cultured hepatic stellate cells and decreases rat liver fibrosis in vivo

BACKGROUND: Following liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) transform into myofibroblast-like cells (activation) and are the major source of type I collagen and the potent collagenase inhibitors tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in the fibrotic liver. The repro... View More