Cytokines and chronic liver disease

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2007 Feb-Apr;18(1-2):143-57. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2007.01.017. Epub 2007 Feb 26.

Abstract

From an immunological point of view, the healthy liver has been usually associated with the phenomenon of tolerance. A microenvironment of regulatory cytokines produced by liver Kuppfer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells has contributed, together with resident dendritic cells, to generate a tolerogenic environment in this tissue. In this review we discussed the intrahepatic responses to different sorts of liver injury, such as hepatotrophic viruses, alcohol or putative self-antigens. In each case we analyzed the impact of different cytokines in the clinical outcome of the different pathological situations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Hepatovirus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Kupffer Cells / immunology*
  • Kupffer Cells / pathology
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / injuries
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / immunology*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Organ Specificity / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • Cytokines