*2.5. Histopathology*

Haematoxylin and eosin staining was performed in 5 μm-thick paraffin embedded tissue sections using a standard protocol. In order to visualize collagen accumulation during chronic liver disease progression, picrosirius red staining was performed in 5 μm-thick paraffin embedded tissue sections using a commercially available kit (Polyscience Europe GmbH, Eppelheim, Germany), according to the manufacturer's instructions.
