Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E 9th Ave, Box C-238, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Abstract:
The idiosyncratic nature and poor prognosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) make this type of reaction a major safety issue during drug development, as well as the most common cause for the withdrawal of drugs from the pharmaceutical market. The key to predicting and preventing DILI is understanding the underlying mechanisms. DILI is initiated by direct hepatotoxic effects of a drug, or a reactive metabolite of a drug. Parenchymal cell injury induces activation of innate and/or adaptive immune cells, which, in turn, produce proinflammatory and tissue hepatotoxic mediators, and/or mount immune reactions against drug-associated antigens. Understanding the molecular and cellular elements associated with these pathways can help identify risk factors and may ultimately facilitate the development of strategies to predict and prevent DILI.
Related Concept Videos
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions

