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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. May 15, 2014; 5(2): 107-113
Published online May 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i2.107
Role of gamma-delta T cells in liver inflammation and fibrosis
Linda Hammerich, Frank Tacke
Linda Hammerich, Frank Tacke, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Author contributions: Hammerich L and Tacke F contributed equally to this paper.
Supported by The German Research Foundation, No. DFG Ta434/2-1 and SFB/TRR57; by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Aachen
Correspondence to: Frank Tacke, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine III, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. frank.tacke@gmx.net
Telephone: +49-241-8035848 Fax: +49-241-8082455
Received: December 17, 2013
Revised: February 4, 2014
Accepted: March 13, 2014
Published online: May 15, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The liver is particularly enriched in unconventional T cells expressing the gamma-delta T cell receptor and the functional role of these gamma-delta (γδ) T cells in liver diseases is being intensively investigated at present. γδ T cells accumulate in inflamed liver and their function appears highly dependent on the distinct subsets. In principle, γδ T cells can be protective as well as pathogenic in the context of liver inflammation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of γδ T cell effector functions and the cytokines produced by these cells in human liver diseases and murine experimental models of acute and chronic liver injury.