Alcoholic hepatitis: The pivotal role of Kupffer cells

Kupffer cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis(AH). It is believed that alcohol increases the gut permeability that results in raised levels of serum endotoxins containing lipopolysaccharides(LPS). LPS binds to LPS-binding proteins and presents it to a membrane glycopro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of gastrointestinal pathophysiology 2015-11, Vol.6 (4), p.90-98
Main Authors: Suraweera, Duminda B, Weeratunga, Ashley N, Hu, Robert W, Pandol, Stephen J, Hu, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcoholic
disease
Alcoholic
hepatitis
Macrop
liver
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Summary:Kupffer cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis(AH). It is believed that alcohol increases the gut permeability that results in raised levels of serum endotoxins containing lipopolysaccharides(LPS). LPS binds to LPS-binding proteins and presents it to a membrane glycoprotein called CD14, which then activates Kupffer cells via a receptor called tolllike receptor 4. This endotoxin mediated activation of Kupffer cells plays an important role in the inflammatory process resulting in alcoholic hepatitis. There is no effective treatment for AH, although notable progress has been made over the last decade in understanding the underlying mechanism of alcoholic hepatitis. We specifically review the current research on the role of Kupffer cells in the pathogenesis of AH and the treatment strategies. We suggest that the imbalance between the pro-inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory process as well as the increased production of reactive oxygen species eventually lead to hepatocyte injury, the final event of alcoholic hepatitis.
ISSN:2150-5330
2150-5330
DOI:10.4291/wjgp.v6.i4.90