The role of Kupffer cells in hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections

• Published in: Journal of hepatology Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 660 - 671
• Main Authors: Boltjes, Arjan, Movita, Dowty, Boonstra, André, Woltman, Andrea M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Anti-viral immunity; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; HBV; HCV; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepacivirus - physiology; Hepatitis B - physiopathology; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Hepatitis B virus - physiology; Hepatitis C - physiopathology; Humans; Immunity - physiology; Kupffer cells; Kupffer Cells - physiology; Liver damage; Liver inflammation; Macrophages; Viral hepatitis; Interferon-stimulated gene; CLR; PRR; Viral hepatitis; Hepatitis B early antigen; MHV; Hepatitis B virus; lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; MCMV; HBV; Toll-like receptor; hepatocellular carcinoma; Heparan sulfate proteoglycan; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Hepatitis B core antigen; MR; HBeAg; HCC; HBsAg; mouse hepatitis virus; ROS; HBcAg; HCV; LCMV; Kupffer cells; Liver damage; Macrophages; EGFR; Epidermal growth factor receptor; IFN; Anti-viral immunity; NLR; LDL; Low-Density Lipoprotein; reactive oxygen species; KC; RLR; Mannose receptor; TLR; ISG; SR; RIG-like receptor; NOD-like receptor; Scavenger receptor; NK cells; HSPG; Liver inflammation; natural killer cells; murine cytomegalovirus; Interferon; Hepatitis C virus; pattern recognition receptor; C-type lectins
• ISSN: 0168-8278; 1600-0641
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.04.026

Summary Globally, over 500 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These chronic infections cause liver inflammation, and may result in fibrosis/cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Albeit that HBV and HCV differ in various aspects, clearance, persistence, and immunopathology of either infection depends on the interplay between the innate and adaptive responses in the liver. Kupffer cells, the liver-resident macrophages, are abundantly present in the sinusoids of the liver. These cells have been shown to be crucial players to maintain homeostasis, but also contribute to pathology. However, it is important to note that especially during pathology, Kupffer cells are difficult to distinguish from infiltrating monocytes/macrophages and other myeloid cells. In this review we discuss our current understanding of Kupffer cells, and assess their role in the regulation of anti-viral immunity and disease pathogenesis during HBV and HCV infection.