[50] Especially, M2 macrophages might negatively regulate liver fibrosis via the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.[51] However, under certain conditions, M2 macrophages may also promote liver fibrosis via TGF-β- and MCP-1/CCR2-dependent manners.[50] Although, Selleckchem Opaganib macrophages

can be classified into M1 and M2, there are no significant differences in their morphologic characteristics. Other macrophages such as scar-associated macrophages and BM-derived macrophages have shown to suppress liver fibrosis via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) productions.[42, 52] Generally, DCs play important roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses as professional antigen-presenting cells.[9] However, the roles of DCs in liver fibrosis are not clearly demonstrated yet. Recent studies show dual roles of liver DCs in liver fibrosis. In thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis, the characteristics of liver DCs are transformed from tolerogenic to immunogenic, which subsequently enhance inflammatory changes (enhanced activities of NK cells and CD8+ T cells but reduced population of Tregs) in liver fibrosis via the production of check details TNF-α.[53] In contrast, after cessation of liver injury, liver DCs are implicated in the regression

of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via the production of MMP-9.[54] Therefore, further detailed studies are required to clarify the roles of DC during liver fibrogenesis and regression. HSCs are involved in the pathogenesis of all stages of alcoholic liver disease such as alcoholic steatosis (fatty liver), steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, medchemexpress and hepatocellular carcinoma by producing endocannabinoids, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, collagen fibers, and retinol metabolites.[55-57] Besides alcohol-mediated activation of HSCs, diverse liver immune cells such as

NK cells, Kupffer cells/macrophages, and IL-17-producing cells are under the influence of alcohol, leading to various interactions with HSCs compared with those in normal circumstances. Chronic alcohol consumption suppresses the cytotoxicity of NK cells against activated HSCs,[37] while alcohol-mediated TLR4 activation in Kupffer cells/macrophages induces enhanced activation of HSCs by producing proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,[55] subsequently accelerating liver fibrosis. In addition, alcohol consumption accumulates IL-17-producing cells including neutrophils in the liver, which subsequently enhance activation of HSCs.[17, 18] However, the interactions between HSCs and other types of liver immune cells, especially adaptive immune cells, in alcoholic liver disease are still unclear. Thus, further studies are strongly required to address those matters. During liver injury, activated HSCs participate in various liver diseases via abnormal ECM accumulation and cytokine productions.