Role of altered immune cells in liver diseases: a review

Abstract

Immune cells play an important role in controlling liver tumorigenesis, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis and contribute to pathogenesis of liver inflammation and injury. Accumulating evidence suggests the effectiveness of natural killer (NK) cells and Kupffer cells (KCs) against viral hepatitis, hepatocellular damage, liver fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Activation of natural killer cells provides a novel therapeutic strategy to cure liver related diseases. This review discusses the emerging roles of immune cells in liver disorders and it will provide baseline data to scientists to design better therapies for treatment.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Cirrosis; Células NK; Células de Kupffer; Células dendríticas; Dendritic cells; Hepatic stellate cells; Hígado; Liver; NK Cells.