Role of complement in ethanol-induced liver injury.
The complement cascade is a phylogenetically ancient part of our immune system and is critical to an organism's ability to ward off infection. Interest in a possible role for the complement system in the development of ethanol-induced liver injury was inspired by the large body of data implicating the complement system in the development of acute and chronic inflammatory responses to bacteria/bacterial products, as well as in response to cell injury, both hallmarks of ethanol-induced liver injury. Recent investigations have demonstrated that complement is involved in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury. Here we review the available data on the contribution of complement to ethanol-induced liver injury and then discuss the potential mechanisms by which the essential roles of complement in protecting the host from infection and facilitating wound healing may contribute to and/or protect from the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced liver injury.
Pritchard
Michele T
MT
Department of Pathobiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
McMullen
Megan R
MR
Medof
M Edward
ME
Stavitsky
Abram
A
Nagy
Laura E
LE
D000818:Animals; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D000431:Ethanol; D003165:Complement System Proteins