Innate immune cells in cirrhosis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Cirrhosis is a multisystemic disease with significant inflammatory responses affecting distant organs.
• Patients with cirrhosis face increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, leading to acute decompensation and high mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the continuous and distinct perturbations in innate immune cells during cirrhosis progression.
• To examine the impact of these immune cell changes on disease progression.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets for cirrhosis-related immune dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on innate immune cell function in cirrhosis.
• Analysis of damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns in activating immune cells.
• Examination of impaired antimicrobial responses in neutrophils and monocytes.

Main Results:

• Innate immune cells, including Kupffer cells and mastocytes, are activated, promoting inflammation and tissue damage.
• Systemic inflammatory responses develop during cirrhosis progression, affecting multiple tissues.
• The antibacterial function of circulating neutrophils and monocytes is progressively impaired in worsening cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

• Perturbations in innate immune cells are a hallmark of cirrhosis, contributing to disease progression and increased infection risk.
• Understanding these immune dysfunctions is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
• Further research into the mechanisms of impaired antimicrobial responses may reveal novel therapeutic strategies.