Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
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Inflammation is a major factor for the progression of chronic liver diseases. Interactions between urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) have been functionally linked to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice. High serum concentrations of soluble uPAR (suPAR) are suggested to reflect activated immune cells. ⋯ Serum suPAR is a potential novel biomarker for the diagnosis of cirrhosis, identification of alcoholic origin and for determining prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease.