Fibrosis in the liver is mainly associated with the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Both activation and clearance of HSCs can be mediated by ligand-receptor interactions. Members of the a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family are involved in the proteolytic release of membrane-bound ligands and receptor ectodomains and the remodelling of the extracellular matrix. ADAM proteases are therefore major regulators of intercellular signalling pathways. In the present review we discuss how ADAM proteases modulate pro- and anti-fibrotic processes and how ADAM proteases might be harnessed therapeutically in the future.
Keywords: ADAM; EGFR; hepatic stellate cell; liver fibrosis; protease.