Teacher:Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
Teacher: Now, understand the problem? Solve this instance: Context: Although animal studies demonstrated that Smad7 induction ameliorates TGF-/SMAD-mediated fibrogenesis, its role in human hepatic diseases is rather obscure. Our study explored the activation status of TGF-/activin pathway in patients with chronic liver diseases, and how it is affected by successful antiviral treatment in chronic HBV hepatitis (CHB).', 'Thirty-seven CHB patients (19 with active disease, 14 completely remitted on long-term antiviral treatment and 4 with relapse after treatment withdrawal), 18 patients with chronic HCV hepatitis, 12 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and 3 controls were enrolled in the study. Liver mRNA levels of CTGF, all TGF-/activin isoforms, their receptors and intracellular mediators (SMADs) were evaluated using qRT-PCR and were correlated with the grade of liver inflammation and fibrosis staging. The expression and localization of pSMAD2 and pSMAD3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry.', 'TGF- signalling is activated in CHB patients with active disease, while SMAD7 is up-regulated during the resolution of inflammation after successful treatment. SMAD7 overexpression was also observed in NAFLD patients exhibiting no or minimal fibrosis, despite the activation of TGF-/activin signaling.
Answer: SMAD7 overexpression might represent a mechanism limiting TGF--mediated fibrogenesis in human hepatic diseases; therefore, SMAD7 induction likely represents a candidate for novel therapeutic approaches.
Student:
Is tGF- signaling activated in patients with chronic HBV infection and repressed by SMAD7 overexpression after successful antiviral treatment?