Insights into Virus-Induced Immune Mediated Liver Pathology

Abstract

In the context of chronic viral infections, the hepatic microenvironment dictates the outcome of the disease by influencing propagation of virus and regulation of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cell response. Nevertheless, such regulation could be beneficial as it resolves the disease or could be detrimental as it causes liver pathological consequences. Liver pathology is a hallmark of chronic viral infection in both human and murine models. Such models show viral infection of hepatocytes and subsequent direct hepatic damage. Other compelling studies showed that liver injury was a consequence of overshooting CD8⁺ T cells response in experimental mice, so-called immune-mediated liver pathology. This review highlights the viral-induced immune mediated aspects of liver pathology based on the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Hepatitis virus settings.

Keywords: Liver; Chronic viral infection; CD8+ T cells; Liver pathology.