title: Hepatoimmunology: a perspective.
abstract: Premises for the subspecialty of hepatoimmunology include the recognition that the liver is a lymphoid organ with unique immunological properties. These properties ensure efficient innate defence against intestinal microbes and toxins, confer a particular capacity for induction of tolerance, and provide for apoptotic disposal of redundant lymphocytes. Pathological responses within the liver are elicited when: (i) hepatotropic viruses (hepatitis virus B and C) escape immune elimination and reside in hepatocytes; (ii) the liver becomes the site of autoimmune responses directed against either hepatocytes (autoimmune hepatitis) or biliary ductules (primary biliary cirrhosis); or (iii) the liver in the course of disposal of drugs generates neoantigens that provoke adverse allergic responses. Recent advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of these entities are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and MolecularBiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. ian.mackay@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology