What is it about?
Liver scarring is a serious disease that can lead to liver failure, and there are currently no medicines that can stop or reverse it. Our research shows that the body's internal clock, which helps control daily cycles such as sleeping and eating, also influences the cells that cause liver scarring. We discovered how this internal clock sends signals that switch these cells on, making them produce scar tissue. By blocking or changing these signals, we were able to reduce the activity of these scar-forming cells. This discovery reveals new ways to develop treatments that target liver scarring and suggests that the timing of treatment may also improve its effectiveness.
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Why is it important?
Liver scarring is a serious condition that can eventually lead to liver failure, yet there are few treatments that directly target the disease. This study shows that the body's internal clock helps control the cells that start and drive liver scarring. We discovered a new signaling process that links the body's daily biological rhythms to the activity of these scar-forming cells. By targeting this process, it may be possible to develop new treatments that slow or prevent liver scarring. Our findings also suggest that giving medicines at specific times of day could improve how well they work for people with chronic liver disease.
Perspectives
Our works paves the way for novel treatment strategies against hepatic fibrosis and fatty liver disease in general, by directly targeting the body's internal daily clock. Also, existing treatments are likely to be more efficient when given at a certain time of the day.
Manuel Johanns
Universite catholique de Louvain
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The circadian clock controls hepatic stellate cell activation via a BMAL1/CK1ε/REV-ERBα/transgelin signaling pathway, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, July 2026, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2611767123.
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