Role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase family in liver fibrogenesis

N A D P H o x i d a s e ( n i c o t i n a m i d e a d e n i n e dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase, NOX) is a multiprotein complex producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), present both in phagocytes, being essential in host defense and in non-phagocytic cells, regulating intracellular signaling. In liver, NADPH oxidase plays a central role in fibrogenesis. A functionally active form of NADPH oxidase is expressed not only in Kupffer cells (phagocytic cell type) but also in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) (non-phagocytic cell type), suggestive of its role the non-phagocytic NADPH oxidase in HSCs activation. This paper reviewed effects of NOX in liver fibrogenesis.