The telomerase RNA component (TERC) and the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were sequenced in 1,121 individuals (521 patients with cirrhosis induced by chronic liver disease and 600 noncirrhosis controls).
To prevent critical telomere shortening in hepatocytes, we have focused on oestrogen dependent transactivation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene as a form of telomerase therapy in chronic liver disease.