Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2017, vol. 26, nr 4, July, p. 739–745

doi: 10.17219/acem/62759

PubMed ID: 28691411

Publication type: review

Language: English

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Kupffer cells in immune activation and tolerance toward HBV/HCV infection

Fangchao Yuan1,D, Wenfeng Zhang1,E, Di Mu2,E, Jianping Gong1,C,E,F

1 Chongqing Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongquing, China

2 Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongquing, China

Abstract

Kupffer cells (KCs) are macrophages that are found in the sinusoids of the liver. KCs are a crucial part of the innate immune system, acting as scavengers and phagocytes. KCs and sinusoidal endothelial cells together form the first immune barrier of the portal system. Studies show that KCs can not only maintain homeostasis in the immune response, but also facilitate the pathogenesis of type B and type C hepatitis (HBV/HCV) through their antigen-presenting function and secretion of soluble mediators. KCs can express toll-like receptors (TLRs), Fas ligand (FasL) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and secrete large amounts of inflammatory factors leading to immune tolerance toward HBV/HCV. On the one hand, KCs contribute to the clearance of HBV/HCV due to their nature as innate immune cells. At the same time, KCs induce immune tolerance toward HBV/HCV, which leads to chronicity of the infection. The dual role of KCs in the immune response toward HBV/HCV means it is a gigantic challenge for scientists to illuminate the detailed mechanisms involved, but it also offers important potential therapeutic targets.

Key words

HBV, HCV, Kupffer cell

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