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Neutrophil plasticity in liver diseases
Jia Ming Nickolas Teo1, Weixin Chen1, Guang Sheng Ling1,2,3
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|October 9, 2024
Summary
Neutrophils are key immune cells in liver health and disease. This review explores their diverse roles and changing functions during liver inflammation and cancer, highlighting their importance in hepatic pathology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The liver performs vital metabolic, digestive, and immune functions, which are compromised in liver diseases like viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- While liver-resident immune cells have been extensively studied, infiltrating immune cells, particularly neutrophils, are increasingly recognized for their significant impact on hepatic inflammation and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse functions and subpopulations of neutrophils in the liver.
- To examine neutrophil behavior and phenotypes during steady state, acute liver injury, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing literature on neutrophil immunology and liver pathology.
- It analyzes data from studies investigating neutrophil roles in various liver conditions.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils exhibit plasticity, adapting their functions and phenotypes in response to the inflammatory liver environment.
- During chronic liver insults and cancer, neutrophils can develop distinct characteristics, including prolonged survival and altered functional capacities.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophils are crucial players in liver homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.
- Understanding neutrophil diversity and plasticity is essential for developing targeted therapies for liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma.
