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The role of immune cells in metabolism-related liver inflammation and development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

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Abstract

The low grade inflammatory state present in obesity promotes the progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). In Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), augmented hepatic steatosis is accompanied by aberrant intrahepatic inflammation and exacerbated hepatocellular injury. NASH is an important disorder and can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even neoplasia. The pathology of NASH involves a complex network of mechanisms, including increased infiltration of different subsets of immune cells, such as monocytes, T-lymphocytes and neutrophils, to the liver, as well as activation and in situ expansion of liver resident cells such as Kupffer cells or stellate cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances regarding understanding the role of the various cells of the innate and adaptive immunity in NASH development and progression, and discuss possible future therapeutic options and tools to interfere with disease progression.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grants from the European Research Council (ENDHOMRET), the Else-Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung (2014_A137) (both to TC), as well as a MeDDriveStart grant from the TU- Dresden Medical Faculty (60.345 to AC).

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, MTZ, Fiedlerstrasse 42, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Marina Nati, David Haddad, Triantafyllos Chavakis & Antonios Chatzigeorgiou

  2. Section of Metabolic Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Andreas L. Birkenfeld

  3. Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Triantafyllos Chavakis & Antonios Chatzigeorgiou

  4. German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany

    Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Triantafyllos Chavakis & Antonios Chatzigeorgiou

  5. Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Rayne Institute, King’s College London, London, UK

    Andreas L. Birkenfeld

  6. Division of Endocrinology, Endocrine Tumor Program, Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Christian A. Koch

  7. Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Triantafyllos Chavakis & Antonios Chatzigeorgiou

Authors
  1. Marina Nati
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  2. David Haddad
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  3. Andreas L. Birkenfeld
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  4. Christian A. Koch
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  5. Triantafyllos Chavakis
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  6. Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonios Chatzigeorgiou.

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Marina Nati and David Haddad contributed equally as first authors

Triantafyllos Chavakis and Antonios Chatzigeorgiou contributed equally as senior authors

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Nati, M., Haddad, D., Birkenfeld, A.L. et al. The role of immune cells in metabolism-related liver inflammation and development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Rev Endocr Metab Disord 17, 29–39 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-016-9339-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-016-9339-2

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