Semin Liver Dis 2018; 38(02): 170-180
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1646949
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Hepatic Dendritic Cells, the Tolerogenic Liver Environment, and Liver Disease

Lei Dou
1   Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
2   Department of Geratology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
,
Yoshihiro Ono
3   Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
,
Yi-fa Chen*
1   Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
,
Angus W. Thomson*
4   Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Xiao-ping Chen
1   Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
2   Department of Geratology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 June 2018 (online)

Abstract

The unique liver immune microenvironment favors resistance to inflammation that promotes normal physiological function. At the same time, it endows the liver with tolerogenic properties that may promote pathological processes. Hepatic dendritic cells (HDCs) initiate and orchestrate immune responses depending on signals they receive from the local environment and are thought to contribute to liver tolerance. Thus, HDCs facilitate impaired T cell responses that are observed in persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, hepatocellular carcinoma progression, and liver allograft transplantation. HDCs also participate in anti-inflammatory responses in liver ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Moreover, they promote the regression of fibrosis from various fibrogenic liver injuries. These findings suggest that HDCs regulate intrahepatic immune responses, allowing the liver to maintain homeostasis and integrity even under pathological conditions. This review focuses on the tolerogenic properties of HDCs based on recent research and in relation to liver disease pathogenesis and its therapy.

* Angus W. Thomson, PhD, DSc, and Xiao-ping Chen, MD, PhD are co-senior authors.


 
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