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Hedgehog signaling and radiation induced liver injury: a delicate balance

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Abstract

Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) is a major limitation of radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of liver cancer. Emerging data indicate that hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a central role in liver fibrosis and regeneration after liver injury. Here, we review the potential role of Hh signaling in RILD and propose the temporary use of Hh inhibition during liver RT to radiosensitize HCC tumor cells and inhibit their progression, while blocking the initiation of the radiation-induced fibrotic response in the surrounding normal liver.

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Abbreviations

EMT:

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition

GLI:

Glioblastoma family

Hh:

Hedgehog

Hhip:

Hedgehog interacting protein

IHH:

Indian hedgehog

LSECs:

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

RILD:

Radiation-induced liver disease

SHH:

Sonic hedgehog

SOS:

Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor-β

VOD:

Veno-occlusive disease

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Compliance with ethical requirements and Conflict of interest

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects. Rafi Kabarriti and Chandan Guha declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    Rafi Kabarriti & Chandan Guha

  2. Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Chandan Guha

Authors
  1. Rafi Kabarriti
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  2. Chandan Guha
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Correspondence to Chandan Guha.

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Kabarriti, R., Guha, C. Hedgehog signaling and radiation induced liver injury: a delicate balance. Hepatol Int 8, 316–320 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-014-9532-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-014-9532-x

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