Hepatocytes: A key role in liver inflammation

Hepatocytes, the major parenchymal cells in the liver, are responsible for a variety of cellular functions including carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, detoxification and immune cell activation to maintain liver homeotasis. Recent studies show hepatocytes play a pivotal role in liver inflammation. After receiving liver insults and inflammatory signals, hepatocytes may undergo organelle damage, and further respond by releasing mediators and expressing molecules that can act in the microenvironment as well as initiate a robust inflammatory response. In this review, we summarize how the hepatic organelle damage link to liver inflammation and introduce numerous hepatocyte-derived pro-inflammatory factors in response to chronic liver injury.

Automated summary

Hepatocytes, as the major cells in the liver, have significant roles in maintaining liver homeostasis. They can undergo organelle damage in response to liver insults and inflammatory signals, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory factors and initiation of an inflammatory response. This review summarizes the connection between hepatic organelle damage and liver inflammation, as well as introduces various hepatocyte-derived pro-inflammatory factors in chronic liver injury.