Hepatoxicity SIG (May 24): Macrophage functional heterogeneity in acute liver injury-Macrophage Functional Heterogeneity in Acute Liver Injury

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this hepatotoxicity lecture, Dr. Evangelos Triantafillou from Imperial College London discusses macrophage function and heterogeneity in acute liver injury. With a focus on immune dysregulation in liver diseases, the lecture emphasizes the dualistic roles of macrophages in inflammation and tissue repair, especially in the context of acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Dr. Triantafillou elucidates the role of Kupffer cells, liver-resident macrophages, and newly recruited monocyte-derived macrophages during liver injury. He highlights their pro-inflammatory and pro-repair functions, influenced by factors such as MRTK signaling and immune checkpoints like PD-1, which play crucial roles in liver inflammation and response to infection. The discussion extends to translational approaches, utilizing human tissue samples and mouse models to identify therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating macrophage activity. Notably, the potential for therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages, such as altering checkpoint pathways or using macrophages as treatment tools, is explored. Dr. Triantafillou underscores the importance of understanding macrophage-mediated immunity and identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes in liver diseases, considering both the intricate balance of immune responses and the translational challenges of moving from animal models to human conditions. The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, where attendees inquire about macrophage roles in different models of liver injury, emphasizing the need for continued research leveraging advanced technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing for deeper insights into liver immunology.

Keywords

hepatotoxicity

macrophage function

acute liver injury

immune dysregulation

acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Kupffer cells

MRTK signaling

immune checkpoints

therapeutic strategies

single-cell RNA sequencing