RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Hepatic stellate cells: role in microcirculation and pathophysiology of portal hypertension JF Gut JO Gut FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology SP 571 OP 581 DO 10.1136/gut.50.4.571 VO 50 IS 4 A1 H Reynaert A1 M G Thompson A1 T Thomas A1 A Geerts YR 2002 UL http://gut.bmj.com/content/50/4/571.abstract AB Accumulating evidence suggests that stellate cells are involved in the regulation of the liver microcirculation and portal hypertension. Activated hepatic stellate cells have the necessary machinery to contract or relax in response to a number of vasoactive substances. Because stellate cells play a role in both fibrosis and portal hypertension, they are currently regarded as therapeutic targets to prevent and treat the complications of chronic liver disease.