T-helper cell-mediated factors in drug-induced liver injury

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) leads to a large burden on the healthcare system due to its potential morbidity and mortality. The key for predicting and preventing DILI is to understand the underlying mechanisms. Hepatic inflammation is one of the most common features of DILI. The inflammation can be attributed to the innate immune response. The adaptive immune system is also affected by the innate immune response resulting in liver damage. T-helper cells are important regulators of acquired immunity. T-helper cell-mediated immune responses play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of a variety of liver disorders. This review summarizes recent advances in the T-helper cell-mediated factors in DILI and potential mechanisms, which may lead to a better understanding of DILI.

Keywords: Cytokine; Drug-induced liver injury; Notch; SOCS; STAT; T-helper cells.