Are major HGF-mediated regenerative pathways similarly affected in human and canine cirrhosis?
In canine hepatitis and cirrhosis the major regenerative downstream pathways were activated. Signaling pathways are similarly activated in human cirrhotic liver samples, irrespective of the differences in etiology in the human samples (alcohol abuse and HCV-infection). Therefore, canine hepatitis and cirrhosis could be an important clinical model to evaluate novel interventions prior to human clinical trials.
In atherosclerotic plaque, the transcription factor HIF-1 alpha is associated with an atheromatous inflammatory plaque phenotype and with VEGF expression. HIF-1 alpha expression is upregulated in activated macrophages under normoxic conditions.