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Roles of Macrophages and Exosomes in Liver Diseases

Mengyi Shen1, Yi Shen1, Xiaoli Fan1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Frontiers in Medicine
|October 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Exosomes and macrophages are key players in liver disease. This review explores their roles in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Exosomes are extracellular vesicles mediating intercellular communication via carried molecules.
  • Macrophages, including M1 and M2 subtypes, have critical roles in immune responses within the liver microenvironment.
  • Liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma involve macrophage activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the involvement of macrophages and exosomes in the pathogenesis and progression of liver diseases.
  • To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of macrophage-derived or macrophage-targeted exosomes in liver conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating exosomes and macrophages in liver disease.
  • Analysis of research on macrophage phenotypes (M1/M2) and their functions in liver pathologies.
  • Synthesis of findings on the role of exosomes in intercellular communication within the liver.

Main Results:

  • Macrophage involvement is demonstrated across various liver diseases, including NAFLD, fibrosis, and HCC.
  • Exosomes derived from or interacting with macrophages are significantly associated with liver disease development and progression.
  • Exosomes carry proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that modulate recipient cell activity, impacting liver disease.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophages and exosomes are integral to liver disease pathogenesis and represent promising targets for diagnosis and therapy.
  • Understanding macrophage-exosome interactions offers novel strategies for managing liver diseases.
  • Further research into macrophage-exosome crosstalk is crucial for advancing liver disease treatment.
Keywords:
acute liver failurealcoholic liver diseaseexosomeshepatitis virushepatocellular carcinomamacrophagesnon-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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