Journal of Liver

Acute Liver Injury and the Beneficial Effects of Hepatic Eosinophil Recruitment

Schwantes Lammert^* Department of Internal Medicine, University of Duke Medical Center, Durham, United States of America
^*Correspondence: Schwantes Lammert, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Duke Medical Center, Durham, United States of America, Email:

Received: 27-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. JLR-23-21031; Editor assigned: 01-Mar-2023, Pre QC No. JLR-23-21031(PQ); Reviewed: 15-Mar-2023, QC No. JLR-23-21031; Revised: 22-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. JLR-23-21031(R); Published: 29-Mar-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2167-0889.23.12.165

Description

The liver is the largest organ in the body that performs various functions, including detoxification of harmful substances, regulation of metabolism, and production of bile. Acute liver injury, which can be caused by viral infections, drug toxicity, or ischemia-reperfusion injury, can lead to severe liver damage and even liver failure. In recent years, it has become clear that the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury. In particular, eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that is typically associated with allergic reactions and parasite infections, have been shown to play a protective role in the liver. In this article, we will discuss about the hepatic recruitment of eosinophils and their protective function during acute liver injury.

Hepatic recruitment of eosinophils

Eosinophils are typically found in the blood and tissues of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. However, they have also been found in the liver, particularly during acute liver injury. The mechanisms underlying hepatic recruitment of eosinophils are not well understood, but several factors have been implicated, including chemokines and cytokines.

Chemokines are small proteins that are involved in the recruitment of immune cells to sites of inflammation. One chemokine that has been shown to be important in the recruitment of eosinophils to the liver is eotaxin-1. Eotaxin-1 is produced by liver cells called hepatocytes in response to various stimuli, including viral infections and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Eotaxin-1 attracts eosinophils to the liver by binding to a receptor on their surface called CCR3.

Cytokines are also important in the recruitment of eosinophils to the liver. One cytokine that has been shown to be important in this process is Interleukin-5 (IL-5). IL-5 is produced by T cells and other immune cells in response to various stimuli, including viral infections and allergens. IL-5 stimulates the production and recruitment of eosinophils to sites of inflammation, including the liver.

Protective function of eosinophils in acute liver injury

Although eosinophils are typically associated with allergic reactions and parasite infections, they have been shown to play a protective role in the liver during acute injury. In particular, eosinophils have been shown to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis (cell death) and promote hepatocyte regeneration.

Hepatocyte apoptosis is a common feature of acute liver injury. When hepatocytes undergo apoptosis, they release proinflammatory cytokines and Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) that can exacerbate liver injury. Eosinophils have been shown to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis by producing anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. For example, eosinophils produce Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β), which promotes the survival and proliferation of hepatocytes. Eosinophils also produce interleukin-10 (IL-10), which is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by other immune cells.

In addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis, eosinophils have also been shown to promote hepatocyte regeneration. After acute liver injury, hepatocytes undergo a process of regeneration in order to replace damaged cells. Eosinophils have been shown to promote hepatocyte regeneration by producing growth factors such as Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). HGF and IGF-1 stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of hepatocytes, leading to the restoration of liver function.