Immune mediated liver failure

Authors

  • Xiaojing Wang Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
  • Qin Ning Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China

Keywords:

immune, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, humoral immunity, cytokines, liver failure

Abstract

Liver failure is a clinical syndrome of various etiologies, manifesting as jaundice, encephalopathy, coagulopathy and circulatory dysfunction, which result in subsequent multiorgan failure. Clinically, liver failure is classified into four categories: acute, subacute, acute-on-chronic and chronic liver failure. Massive hepatocyte death is considered to be the core event in the development of liver failure, which occurs when the extent of hepatocyte death is beyond the liver regenerative capacity. Direct damage and immune-mediated liver injury are two major factors involved in this process. Increasing evidence has suggested the essential role of immune-mediated liver injury in the pathogenesis of liver failure. Here, we review the evolved concepts concerning the mechanisms of immune-mediated liver injury in liver failure from human and animal studies. Both innate and adaptive immunity, especially the interaction of various immune cells and molecules as well as death receptor signaling system are discussed. In addition, we highlight the concept of “immune coagulation”, which has been shown to be related to the disease progression and liver injury exacerbation in HBV related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Published

2014-10-01

How to Cite

Wang, X., & Ning, Q. (2014). Immune mediated liver failure. EXCLI Journal, 13, 1131–1144. Retrieved from https://www.excli.de/index.php/excli/article/view/767

Issue

Section

Review articles