Research progress in role of RhoA in onset and development of hepatic fibrosis

The key step in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into fibroblasts and the abnormal expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) after activation. The important role of Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the activation of HSCs is reviewed. It is summarized that RhoA, a member of the small G-protein family in Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, gets involved in hepatic fibrosis as an important cytokine for regulating the actin cytoskeleton and morphological heterogeneity of cells. It is pointed out that RhoA plays an important regulatory role in the onset and development of hepatic fibrosis and that RhoA adjusts the assembly of actin stress fibers and influences the synthesis and contraction of ECM through cascade amplification. The role of RhoA in the onset and development of hepatic fibrosis and its significance as a potential therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis are reviewed.