Hepatic macrophages in liver homeostasis and diseases-diversity, plasticity and therapeutic opportunities

Yankai Wen, Joeri Lambrecht, Cynthia Ju, Frank Tacke

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

344 Scopus citations

Abstract

Macrophages, which are key cellular components of the liver, have emerged as essential players in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis and in injury and repair processes in acute and chronic liver diseases. Upon liver injury, resident Kupffer cells (KCs) sense disturbances in homeostasis, interact with hepatic cell populations and release chemokines to recruit circulating leukocytes, including monocytes, which subsequently differentiate into monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMϕs) in the liver. Both KCs and MoMϕs contribute to both the progression and resolution of tissue inflammation and injury in various liver diseases. The diversity of hepatic macrophage subsets and their plasticity explain their different functional responses in distinct liver diseases. In this review, we highlight novel findings regarding the origins and functions of hepatic macrophages and discuss the potential of targeting macrophages as a therapeutic strategy for liver disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-56
Number of pages12
JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Kupffer cells
  • liver cancer
  • liver fibrosis
  • liver inflammation
  • monocyte-derived macrophages

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