HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Nrf2

Study Abstract

NF-E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an essential transcription factor that regulates an array of detoxifying and antioxidant defense gene expression in the liver. It is activated in response to oxidative stress and induces the expression of its target genes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). Therefore, the roles of Nrf2 in liver diseases have been extensively investigated. A series of studies suggested that Nrf2 exhibits diverse biological functions against viral hepatitis, alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease, fibrosis, and even cancer through the regulation of target gene expression. In this chapter, we summarize the role of Nrf2 in liver disease progression, with the aim of understanding Nrf2 regulation and its target genes, and we discuss how Nrf2 affects pathophysiological conditions in the liver. This chapter can contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of Nrf2 and to advance the development of strategies for liver disease prevention and treatment.