Chemokines in the pathogenesis of liver disease: so many players with poorly defined roles

Abstract

Many new chemokines have been described in recent years, resulting in a new classification of these chemoattractant proteins. The characterization of the biological functions of most chemokines relates to their ability to induce chemotaxis in circulating inflammatory cells. However, it is now clear that chemokines have a much wider biological role, including angiogenesis, carcinogenesis and involvement in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Our understanding of the role of chemokines in the pathogenesis of disorders of the lungs and brain outstrips that with regard to disorders of the liver. An increased understanding of the role of chemokines in the pathogenesis of liver disease may lead to the development of novel therapies for hepatic disease.

Hepatic Serum Amyloid A1 Aggravates T Cell-mediated Hepatitis by Inducing Chemokines via Toll-like Receptor 2 in Mice

“…Chemokine expression in injured areas of the liver promotes immune cell infiltration (17)(18)(19). Our results also show that Saa1 overexpression induced MCP-1, MIP-1␣, MIP-1␤, eotaxin, and IP-10 mRNA expression in the livers of TG mice.…”

“…Chemokine expression is up-regulated in areas of tissue injury, and their increased expression leads to infiltration of immune cells such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes. Chemokines and chemokine receptors play critical roles in liver diseases such as hepatitis (17)(18)(19). Chemokines are secreted from immune cells and primary cells, including hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and endothelial cells (20).…”

Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Is an Intrinsic Antifibrosis Factor Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cells

“…Interestingly, suppression of inflammation by PEDF may be an effect rather than a cause of HSC inactivation since HSC is one of the major sources of inflammatory cytokines in the liver. [1][2][3] Regarding the mechanism responsible for PEDF depletion after CCl 4 treatment, our finding of a reduction in PEDF mRNA levels suggests that an inhibition of PEDF transcription is responsible. However, a recent experi- Figure 7.…”

Angiogenesis in chronic inflammatory liver disease

“…70 During inflammation, vascular permeability is increased and monocytes, macrophages, platelets, mast cells, and other leukocytes (able to produce angiogenic cytokines and growth factors) are recruited 71 under the attraction of chemokines. 19,72 As for other organs (bone, joints, lung, and skin), fibrosis and/or inflammation contribute to the formation of new vascular structures in the liver. 73 The currently available information on the occurrence of angiogenesis in different chronic inflammatory liver diseases is reviewed.…”