Tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 reprograms hepatic stellate cells into stem-like cells, which ameliorates liver damage in mouse

Liver fibrosis is a major characteristic of liver disease. When the liver is damaged, quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transdifferentiate into proliferative myofibroblastic/activated HSCs, which are the main contributors to liver fibrosis. Hence, a strategy for regulating HSC activation is important in the treatment of liver disease. Tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 protein (TSG-6), a cytokine released from mesenchymal stem cells...