Journal article
The role of liver macrophages in viral liver pathogenesis
Journal of leukocyte biology, v 117(9), qiaf088
25 Jun 2025
PMID: 40561105
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Liver macrophages play important roles in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, liver macrophages are a heterogenous population and have differing roles in maintenance of liver function and response in disease. In a healthy liver, macrophages play a critical role in antigen processing, maintaining tolerance to the high levels of gut-derived bacterial products, and regulating inflammation through cytokine response. However, macrophages also play a critical role in liver pathology, specifically in the context of viral infection. The liver is targeted by multiple viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which dysregulate macrophage functions to affect liver disease. Infection with any of these viruses is associated with increased risk of developing HCC, and co-infection further accelerates the progression to liver disease and cancer. However, the exact mechanisms by which liver macrophages contribute to disease in the context of viral infections are not well defined. This is a particularly acute issue in HIV-infected populations, which have high incidence of HBV- and HCV-coinfection. To address this knowledge gap, this review describes the populations of macrophages in the liver, outlines the current models and limitations associated with the study of liver macrophages, discusses the function and role of liver macrophages in the context of viral infection, and describes the mechanisms by which these cells contribute to HCC and fibrosis. We then use this information to propose focus areas for the liver macrophage field to better address and resolve viral liver disease.
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Details
- Title
- The role of liver macrophages in viral liver pathogenesis
- Creators
- Alexis Brantly - Drexel UniversityKyle Yeakle - Drexel UniversityMichael Bouchard - Drexel UniversityPeter J Gaskill - Drexel UniversityMichael R Nonnemacher (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of leukocyte biology, v 117(9), qiaf088
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Number of pages
- 27
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Neurological Disease and Stroke: NIH-R01NS089435 National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease: R21AI158024 National Institutes on Drug Abuse: R01DA057337, R61DA058051
This work was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Neurological Disease and Stroke NIH-R01NS089435 to M.R.N. and the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease R21AI158024 to M.J.B. and M.R.N. and from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse, R01DA057337 and R61DA058051 to P.J.G.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Microbiology and Immunology; Pharmacology and Physiology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001563606600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105014638652
- Other Identifier
- 991022060153804721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Immunology