title: Role of stress-induced NKG2D ligands in liver diseases.
abstract: Cell death by apoptosis is a prominent feature in a variety of liver diseases. It is likely that apoptosis is the initial cellular response to hepatocyte and biliary injury, which then leads to the initiation of cellular and cytokine cascades culminating in hepatocyte death with subsequent fibrosis and cirrhosis. This sequence of events is of paramount clinical importance. Recently, soluble forms of the major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A and closely related B (MIC A and B) were reported to be increased in patients with a variety of liver diseases. MIC A and B are cell surface glycoproteins that function as indicators for cellular stress and thus activate circulating cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells. The interaction between MIC A and B with their cognate receptor natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) culminates in enhanced liver cell death, which is mediated in part by apoptotic mechanisms. The present overview focuses on the role of the stress-induced NKG2D ligands MIC A and B in diverse liver diseases. Critical insights into these complex relations may help to promote rationally based therapies in liver diseases. Importantly, we hope that this overview will help to stimulate further studies into mechanisms by which stress ligands mediate cell death and its sequale.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alisan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.forename: Christian D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Fingas
authors.forename: Wing-Kin
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Syn
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerken
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canbay
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C527085:KLRK1 protein, human; D008024:Ligands; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A; C098080:MICB antigen; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K