Hepatic dendritic cells: immunobiology and role in liver transplantation

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 322 - 330
• Main Authors: Thomson, A. W., Drakes, M. L., Zahorchak, A. F., O'Connell, P. J., Steptoe, R. J., Qian, S., Lu, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Society for Leukocyte Biology 01.08.1999
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Movement - physiology; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dendritic Cells - physiology; Humans; immunity; Liver - cytology; Liver - immunology; Liver Diseases - immunology; Liver Transplantation - immunology; tolerance; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1002/jlb.66.2.322

Traditional investigations of hepatic dendritic cells (DC) have focused on immunohistochemical studies of these cells within normal and pathological liver tissue. The recent availability of reagents for the improved characterization of DC, together with cytokine‐based methods for the expansion of liver DC both in vivo and in vitro have begun to provide new insight into the immunobiology of these important antigen‐presenting cells. Hepatic DC probably play a key role in the host response to blood‐borne pathogens, and in the pathogenesis of infectious and autoimmune liver diseases. They appear to be important in determining the balance between liver transplant tolerance and rejection. Their possible role in oral and portal venous tolerance remains to be defined. In this article, we focus on emerging aspects of hepatic DC immunobiology, with particular reference to liver transplantation. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 322–330; 1999.