Therapeutic Targeting of Hepatic Macrophages

Abstract

Purpose of Review This review outlines the current knowledge about hepatic macrophages and provides an overview of therapeutic approaches to target hepatic macrophages for the treatment of liver diseases. Recent Findings In recent years, it has been increasingly recognized that hepatic macrophages (resident macrophages, Kupffer cells, or circulating bone marrow monocyte-derived macrophages) are implicated in liver homeostasis as well as in disease progression and resolution. More recently, different populations of hepatic macrophages with distinct phenotypes and functions have been identified that have shown to play distinct roles in the pathogenesis of various acute and chronic liver diseases. The understanding of the role of hepatic macrophages in initiation, progression, and resolution of liver diseases has given rise to the development of therapeutics that can target different phenotypes of hepatic macrophages. Innovative strategies comprises of microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), therapeutic proteins, and small-molecule inhibitors. Summary Evidence from recent in vitro and in vivo studies support the fact that hepatic macrophages can be efficiently targeted using miRNA/siRNA-based approaches, protein-based approaches, and small-molecule inhibitors for the treatment of liver diseases. However, more in-depth understanding underlying the roles of distinct macrophage phenotypes in different liver diseases is required for the translation of novel targeted therapeutics to the clinic. Keywords Hepatic macrophages. Targeted therapeutics. Liver diseases. Monocytes. Kupffer cells This article is part of the Topical Collection on Chronic Liver Disease