title: Hepatic antigen-presenting cells and regulation of liver transplant outcome.
abstract: In the steady state, hepatic antigen (Ag)-presenting cells (APC) generally dampen systemic inflammatory responses to gut-derived Ags. Our studies focus on the role of specific liver APC populations, both non-parenchymal cells (dendritic cells [DC], Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells [HSC]) and parenchymal cells, in the molecular regulation of tissue damage (ischemia and reperfusion [I/R] injury) and immunity following liver transplantation. We focus on factors that either promote or overwhelm the natural tendency of the liver to suppress inflammatory/immune responses. We are also examining molecular mechanisms that regulate liver DC maturation and function and that determine their role in the control of allogeneic T-cell function and the fate of the transplanted liver. Our studies are also aimed at elucidating mechanisms by which HSC regulate DC and T-cell function. These investigations may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention in liver inflammation.
authors: Department of Surgery, Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, W1540 BST, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. thomsonaw@upmc.edu
authors: Angus W
authors: AW
authors: Thomson
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Geller
authors: Chandrashekhar
authors: C
authors: Gandhi
authors: Noriko
authors: N
authors: Murase
authors: A Jake
authors: AJ
authors: Demetris
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Beer-Stolz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology