IL-13 signaling in liver fibrogenesis

Liver fibrosis is the final common pathway of chronic liver diseases irrespective of etiology. However, etiology deeply impacts progression and characteristics of liver fibrogenesis. IL-13 is the dominant pro-fibrotic cytokine in Schistosomiasis associated liver fibrogenesis. In vitro, IL-13 directly induces expression of fibrosis-associated genes, e.g., collagens or connective tissue growth factor, in hepatic stellate cells. Recently, potential effects of IL13 in non-Schistosomiasis associated liver fibrosis have been uncovered. This review summarizes the potential roles of IL13 in chronic liver disease of different etiologies, and the downstream events mediating IL13 signaling in liver fibrogenesis.