Editorial: Cytokines in liver diseases
Subburaj Ilangumaran1, Richard Moriggl2, Dhan V Kalvakolanu3
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada.
Cytokine
|December 20, 2018
Summary
Cytokines are crucial in liver diseases, driving injury and pathologies like liver cancer. Overnutrition, not just viral hepatitis, now poses a significant threat to liver health.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Hepatology
- Focuses on the role of cytokines and chemokines in liver disease pathogenesis.
Background:
- The liver's vital functions include filtration, detoxification, and metabolic homeostasis.
- Chronic damage from infections (e.g., hepatitis viruses) or metabolic syndrome can lead to severe liver disease, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Obesity-induced fatty liver is an emerging pathway to HCC, bypassing traditional fibrosis stages.
Discussion:
- Cytokines and chemokines are key mediators in initiating and perpetuating liver injury.
- Overnutrition represents a growing threat to liver health, surpassing viral hepatitis in some contexts.
- The complexity of cytokines in liver diseases necessitates focused research.
Key Insights:
- Cytokines and chemokines are central to the development of various liver pathologies.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma can arise from fatty liver disease driven by obesity, independent of cirrhosis.
- Understanding cytokine signaling is critical for managing liver diseases.
Outlook:
- Further research into cytokine roles is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
- Addressing the global crisis of overnutrition is paramount for preventing liver disease.
- This special issue provides a glimpse into critical research areas concerning cytokines in liver disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
2.0K
Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
2.0K
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
199
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
199
01:27Liver Histology
4.4K
The microscopic anatomy of the liver is a complex and intricate system that comprises numerous structural units known as liver lobules, each of which is comparable in size to a sesame seed. These hexagonal structures consist of plates of liver cells or hepatocytes, which are characterized by their versatility and abundance of cellular apparatus like rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
4.4K
01:30Liver Physiology
3.7K
The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
3.7K
01:24Liver Regeneration
4.3K
The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
4.3K
01:17Gross Anatomy of the Liver
2.1K
The liver, the largest gland within the human body, is a firm and reddish-brown organ. This wedge-shaped structure weighs approximately 1.5 kg and occupies a significant portion of the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions. It extends more to the right of the body's midline than to the left.
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is...
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is...
2.1K