Thrombospondin-1 Exacerbates Acute Liver Failure and Hepatic Encephalopathy Pathology in Mice by Activating Transforming Growth Factor β1.

Severe hepatic insults can lead to acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) has been shown to contribute to HE during acute liver failure; however, TGFβ1 must be activated to bind its receptor and generate downstream effects. One protein that can activate TGFβ1 is thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1).