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Review
. 2011 Feb;22(1):35-43.
doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2011.01.001. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Regulation of hepatocyte fate by interferon-γ

Christopher J Horras  1 , Cheri L Lamb, Kristen A Mitchell
Affiliations
Review

Regulation of hepatocyte fate by interferon-γ

Christopher J Horras et al. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine known for its immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative action. In the liver, IFN-γ can induce hepatocyte apoptosis or inhibit hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This article reviews recent mechanistic reports that describe how IFN-γ may direct the fate of hepatocytes either towards apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. This review also describes a probable role for IFN-γ in modulating hepatocyte fate during liver regeneration, transplantation, hepatitis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and highlights promising areas of research that may lead to the development of IFN-γ as a therapy to enhance recovery from liver disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathways by which IFN-γ elicits apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. IFN-γ activates Stat or non-Stat-mediated pathways, leading to the induction of IRF-1. IRF-1 induces iNOS and p53, which regulate apoptosis and cell cycle progression, respectively. RE = response element.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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