cells Review Magnetic-Assisted Treatment of Liver Fibrosis Kateryna Levada 1, Alexander Omelyanchik 1 , Valeria Rodionova 1,2, Ralf Weiskirchen 3 and Matthias Bartneck 4,* 1 Institute of Physics, Mathematics and Information Technology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236016 Kaliningrad, Russia;
[email protected] (K.L.);
[email protected] (A.O.);
[email protected] (V.R.) 2 National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, 119049 Moscow, Russia 3 Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;
[email protected] 4 Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +49-241-80-80611 Received: 19 September 2019; Accepted: 15 October 2019; Published: 19 October 2019 Abstract: Chronic liver injury can be induced by viruses, toxins, cellular activation, and metabolic dysregulation and can lead to liver fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis still remains a major burden on the global health systems. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are considered the main cause of liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells are key targets in antifibrotic treatment, but selective engagement of these cells is an unresolved issue. Current strategies for antifibrotic drugs, which are at the critical stage 3 clinical trials, target metabolic regulation, immune cell activation, and cell death. Here, we report on the critical factors for liver fibrosis, and on prospective novel drugs, which might soon enter the market. Apart from the current clinical trials, novel perspectives for anti-fibrotic treatment may arise from magnetic particles and controlled magnetic forces in various different fields.