Role of angiogenesis and angiogenetic growth factors (VEGF, PLGF) in portal hypertension and fibrosis formation in animal models of cirrhosis, steatosis and portal hypertension.

Models of portal hypertension and cirrhosis are used to study prevention and reversibility of collateral formation (in peripheral, splanchmic and pulmonary area), by treating mice with anti-PLGF and by using PLGF knock-out mice. Fibrosis formation and the role of hepatic stellate cells in the angiogenesis setting will be studied. In mice models of NASH will be the role of angiogenesis in fibrosis and collateral formation studied in different stages of steatosis.