SOX9 predicts progression toward cirrhosis in patients while its loss protects against liver fibrosis

In this study, we show the prevalence of SOX9 in biopsies from patients with chronic liver disease correlated with fibrosis severity and accurately predicted disease progression toward cirrhosis. Inactivation of Sox9 in mice protected against both parenchymal and biliary fibrosis, and improved liver function and ameliorated chronic inflammation. SOX9 was downstream of mechanosignaling factor, YAP1. These data demonstrate a role for SOX9 in liver fibrosis and open the way for the transcription factor and its dependent pathways as new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets in patients with liver fibrosis. The extent of SOX9 detection in liver correlates with the severity of fibrosis and predicts its progression toward cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease. In mice, SOX9 loss improves scarring and ameliorates liver function and inflammation.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi?DOI=10.15252%2Femmm.201707860

Source: EMBO Molecular Medicine - November 6, 2017 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Varinder S Athwal, James Pritchett, Jessica Llewellyn, Katherine Martin, Elizabeth Camacho, Sayyid MA Raza, Alexander Phythian ‐Adams, Lindsay J Birchall, Aoibheann F Mullan, Kim Su, Laurence Pearmain, Grace Dolman, Abed M Zaitoun, Scott L Friedman, And Tags: Research Article Source Type: research