Role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure.
BACKGROUND
This is the first ever decade which has witnessed the emergence of a highly lethal condition termed acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), which today is the leading cause of death compared to acute and chronic liver failure. However, the complex pathophysiology of ACLF remains poorly understood. This article will attempt to summarize recent progress in the understanding of the mechanisms of cytokines in ACLF.


METHODS
The search terms used on PubMed were cytokines, liver injury, complications of liver disease, and hepatic progenitor cell.


RESULTS
Cytokines play a significant role in the pathophysiology of ACLF including hepatocellular death, extrahepatic complications and hepatocyte regeneration. The tissue-damaging mechanisms of cytokines are closely related to their hepatocyte proliferation and regeneration function.


CONCLUSIONS
It remains a challenge to selectively prevent the detrimental effects of cytokines. To design interventions which selectively target the detrimental effects of cytokines, a detailed understanding of cytokines in the pathophysiology ACLF is critical.
Liu
Qing
Q
Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, China. liuqing7@yahoo.com
D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D022781:Hepatocytes; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells
D016207:Cytokines