Cellular Interactions in the Human Fatty Liver

J Med Life. 2019 Oct-Dec;12(4):338-340. doi: 10.25122/jml-2019-1010.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis morbidity and mortality is on the rise due to the obesity pandemic. Its pathophysiology is not well understood and implies complex interactions between local hepatic cells populations, adipocytes, immune effectors that lead to hepatic lipid excess, lipotoxicity, cellular stress and inflammation, as well as programmed cell death. A better understanding of these pathogenic interactions would allow better identification of therapeutic targets in a disease that has no known pharmacological therapy until now.

Keywords: NAFLD; NASH; genetics; natural history; pathophysiology; steatohepatitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / pathology
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / pathology*