Regulation of hepatocyte fate by interferon-γ

Interferon (IFN)-gamma is a cytokine known for its immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative action. In the liver, IFN-gamma can induce hepatocyte apoptosis or inhibit hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This article reviews recent mechanistic reports that describe how IFN-gamma may direct the fate of hepatocytes either towards apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. This review also describes a probable role for IFN-gamma in modulating hepatocyte fate during liver regeneration, transplantation, hepatitis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and highlights promising areas of research that may lead to the development of IFN-gamma as a therapy to enhance recovery from liver disease. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.