Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are located in the space of Disse between the hepatic epithelial cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells, accounting for 5%-8% of the cells in the liver. In a healthy liver, stellate cells are quiescent and contain large amounts of vitamin A lipid droplets. When the liver is injured due to hepatic toxins or viral infection, HSCs receive signals secreted by damaged hepatocytes and immune cells to transdifferentiate into activated myofibroblast-like cells.