Reduced production of laminin by hepatic stellate cells contributes to impairment in oval cell response to liver injury in aged mice

Understanding the Unique Microenvironment in the Aging Liver

In the past decades, many studies have focused on aging because of our pursuit of longevity. With lifespans extended, the regenerative capacity of the liver gradually declines due to the existence of aging. This is partially due to the unique microenvironment in the aged liver, which affects a series of physiological processes. In this review, we summarize the related researches in the last decade and try to highlight the aging-related alterations in the aged liver.

Laminins in metabolic tissues

Laminins are extracellular matrix proteins that reside in the basement membrane and provide structural support in addition to promoting cellular adhesion and migration. Through interactions with cell surface receptors, laminins stimulate intracellular signaling cascades which direct specific survival and differentiation outcomes. In metabolic tissues such as the pancreas, adipose, muscle, and liver, laminin isoforms are expressed in discrete temporal and spatial patterns suggesting that certain isoforms may support the development and function of particular metabolic cell types. This review focuses on the research to date detailing the expression of laminin isoforms, their potential function, as well as known pathways involved in laminin signaling in metabolic tissues. We will also discuss the current biomedical therapies involving laminins in these tissues in addition to prospective applications, with the goal being to encourage future investigation of laminins in the context of metabolic disease.