Deubiquitinase USP18 inhibits hepatic stellate cells activation and alleviates liver fibrosis via regulation of TAK1 activity

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key process underlying liver fibrosis. Unveiling its molecular mechanism may provide an effective target for inhibiting liver fibrosis. Protein ubiquitination is a dynamic and reversible process. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) catalyze the removal of ubiquitin chains from substrate proteins, thereby inhibiting the biological processes regulated by ubiquitination signals. However, there are few studies revealing the role of deubiquitination in the activation of HSCs.