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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
From hepatoprotection models to new therapeutic modalities for treating liver diseases: a personal perspective
Swetha Rudraiah1, José E Manautou1
1Toxicology Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Abstract:
A variety of rodent models of hepatoprotection have been developed in which tolerance to acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity occurs. Autoprotection/heteroprotection is a phenomenon where prior exposure to a mildly toxic dose of toxicant confers protection against a subsequently administered higher dose of the same toxicant (as in the case of autoprotection) or to a different toxicant (referred to as heteroprotection). Multiple mechanisms regulate this adaptive response, including hepatocellular proliferation, proteostasis, enhanced expression of cytoprotective genes, and altered tissue immune response. In this review, we will discuss recent findings that highlight the complexity of these adaptive mechanisms and we also outline the usefulness of these findings to devise therapeutic and/or diagnostic tools for acetaminophen-induced liver damage in patients.
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