Role of immune dysfunction in drug induced liver injury

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the leading causes of liver failure and withdrawal of drugs from the market. A poor understanding of the precipitating event aetiology and mechanisms of disease progression has rendered the prediction and subsequent treatment intractable. Recent literature suggests that some drugs can alter the liver's repair systems resulting in injury. The pathophysiology of DILI is complex, and immune dysfunction plays an important role in determining the course and severity of the disease. Immune dysfunction is influenced by the host response to drug toxicity. A deeper understanding of these processes may be beneficial in the management of DILI and aid in drug development. This review provides a structured framework presenting DILI in three progressive stages that summarize the interplay between drugs and the host defence networks.

Keywords: Drug-induced liver injury; Hepatotoxic drugs; High mobility group box 1; Immune dysfunction; Liver damage.