Braunersreuther V, Viviani GL, Mach F, Montecucco F. Role of cytokines and chemokines in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18(8): 727-735 [PMID: 22371632 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.727]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Fabrizio Montecucco, MD, Division of Cardiology, Foundation for Medical Researches, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Foundation for Medical Researches, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. fabrizio.montecucco@unige.ch
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2012; 18(8): 727-735 Published online Feb 28, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.727
Role of cytokines and chemokines in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Vincent Braunersreuther, Giorgio Luciano Viviani, François Mach, Fabrizio Montecucco
Vincent Braunersreuther, François Mach, Fabrizio Montecucco, Division of Cardiology, Foundation for Medical Researches, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Giorgio Luciano Viviani, Department of Internal Medicine, Adult Diabetes Centre, University of Genoa, 16143 Genoa, Italy
Author contributions: Braunersreuther V, Viviani GL, Mach F and Montecucco F designed the research; Braunersreuther V, Viviani GL, Mach F and Montecucco F drafted the article; Braunersreuther V and Montecucco F wrote the paper; Braunersreuther V, Viviani GL, Mach F, Montecucco F revised and accepted this version of the manuscript.
Supported by The Swiss National Science Foundation, No. 32003B-134963/1 and “Sir Jules Thorn Trust Reg” Foundation, Gustave and Simone Prévot Foundation to Montecucco F; EU FP7 AtheroRemo, No. 201668 and Swiss National Science Foundation, No. 310030B-133127 and Novartis Foundation and Swiss Heart Foundation to Mach F
Correspondence to: Dr. Fabrizio Montecucco, MD, Division of Cardiology, Foundation for Medical Researches, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Foundation for Medical Researches, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. fabrizio.montecucco@unige.ch
Telephone: +41-22-3827238 Fax: +41-22-3827245
Received: June 7, 2011 Revised: July 27, 2011 Accepted: August 4, 2011 Published online: February 28, 2012
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a variety of histological conditions (ranging from liver steatosis and steatohepatitis, to fibrosis and hepatocarcinoma) that are characterized by an increased fat content within the liver. The accumulation/deposition of fat within the liver is essential for diagnosis of NAFLD and might be associated with alterations in the hepatic and systemic inflammatory state. Although it is still unclear if each histological entity represents a different disease or rather steps of the same disease, inflammatory processes in NAFLD might influence its pathophysiology and prognosis. In particular, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (the most inflamed condition in NAFLDs, which more frequently evolves towards chronic and serious liver diseases) is characterized by a marked activation of inflammatory cells and the upregulation of several soluble inflammatory mediators. Among several mediators, cytokines and chemokines might play a pivotal active role in NAFLD and are considered as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we will update evidence from both basic research and clinical studies on the potential role of cytokines and chemokines in the pathophysiology of NAFLD.
