Role of hepatic macrophages in alcoholic liver disease

Abstract

Alcohol consumption can lead to the increase in gut permeability and cause the translocation of bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharides from the gut to the liver, which subsequently activates immune responses. In this process, macrophages play a critical role and involve in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). To define the mechanism underpinning the function of macrophages, it is important to conduct extensive studies to further explicate the phenotypic diversity of macrophages in the context of ALD. In this review, the role of hepatic macrophages in the pathogenesis of ALD is discussed.

Keywords: Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Macrophages.

Figure 1

Proinflammatory and tissue-restorative macrophages. DAMP, damage-associated molecular pattern molecule; IL, interleukin; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecule; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TLR, toll-like receptor; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; VEG, vascular endothelial growth factor.