Fibrosis in cirrhosis is produced by hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells) in the space of Disse: after injury they are activated, proliferate and transform into myofibroblast-like cells that lay down excess collagen, while fibrotic tissue and regenerative nodules replace the parenchyma. Activated Kupffer cells are the tempting distractor: they release cytokines that activate stellate cells, but they are not the collagen-producing cells. A dilated central vein and hepatocyte oedema do not cause fibrosis.