Role of primary intrahepatic T-cell activation in the 'liver tolerance effect'.
There is accumulating evidence suggesting that hepatic permeability to both naive and activated T lymphocytes may be unique among the solid organs. The possibility that the liver may act as a site of primary activation for CD8+ T lymphocytes is supported by experimental data and may contribute to some of the unique immunological properties of this organ, particularly its ability to induce antigen-specific tolerance. This review discusses the nature of the liver APC inducing primary T-cell activation within the liver: Kupffer cells, liver dendritic cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes are favourably located to allow physical contact with circulating T lymphocytes. Here, we examine the capability of each cell type to act as APC for naive CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and to induce tolerance.
Bertolino
Patrick
P
Liver Immunobiology Laboratory, TheCentenary Institute Of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia. P.Bertolino@centenary.usyd.edu.au
McCaughan
Geoffrey W
GW
Bowen
David G
DG
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*