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Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42(04): 475-488
DOI: 10.1055/a-1957-6384
Review Article

Regulation of Progression and Resolution of Liver Fibrosis by Immune Cells

Yuzo Koda
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2   Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
,
Nobuhiro Nakamoto
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Takanori Kanai
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
3   Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was supported in part by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid (B) JP20H04129; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) 21fk0210096h0001.
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Abstract

The excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins results in fibrosis—a condition implicated in several diseased conditions, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Despite its prevalence, direct and effective treatments for fibrosis are lacking, warranting the development of better therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence has shown that liver fibrosis—a condition previously considered irreversible—is reversible in specific conditions. Immune cells residing in or infiltrating the liver (e.g., macrophages) are crucial in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Given this background, the roles and action mechanisms of various immune cells and their subsets in the progression and recovery of liver fibrosis, particularly concerning nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, are discussed in this review. Furthermore, the development of better therapeutic strategies based on stage-specific properties and using advanced techniques as well as the mechanisms underlying recovery are elaborated. In conclusion, we consider the review comprehensively provides the present achievements and future possibilities revolving around fibrosis treatment.

Keywords

liver fibrosis - immune cell regulation - macrophages - nonalcoholic steatohepatitis - tissue resident memory T cells


Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
08 October 2022

Article published online:
02 November 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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