Pathogenic Mechanisms in Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD):Emerging Role of Osteopontin

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of chronic liver injury. Individuals with ALD that progress to advanced disease stages with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis have increased risk of complications such as portal hypertension, liver cancer, and liver failure. Molecular and cellular signals that contribute to the development of advanced disease are under intense investigation. The development of novel therapies that inhibit fibrosis and cirrhosis will be critical to halt the progression of ALD. Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflammatory cytokine and matricellular protein that is emerging as a key target molecule for antifibrotic strategies. OPN drives inflammatory signalling pathways and mediates myofibroblast and progenitor cellular activities that promote fibrosis. Neutralization of OPN may be a candidate therapeutic avenue to inhibit the proinflammatory and profibrotic cellular and molecular pathways that drive ALD progression.