Regulatory T-cell directed therapies in liver diseases Ye Htun Oo, Shimon Sakaguchi  Journal of Hepatology  Volume 59, Issue 5, Pages 1127-1134 (November 2013) DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.05.034 Copyright © 2013 Terms and Conditions

Fig. 1 Regulatory T cells (Tregs) recruitment, its role in autoimmune hepatitis, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The human liver has a dual blood supply from the gastrointestinal tract via portal vein and hepatic artery from the systemic circulation. Regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25highCD127lowFOXP3+) are recruited to the inflamed human liver via hepatic sinusoids using chemokine receptor CXCR3. FOXP3+ Tregs exert their function by multiple mechanisms including contact dependent (CTLA-4 and dendritic cells) and immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. Tregs control hepatitis (both lobular and interface) caused by Th1, CD8 cells. Tregs are essential in re-establishing hepatic tolerance in autoimmune liver disease, such as autoimmune hepatitis, and prevent excessive hepatocyte destruction by effector lymphocytes in HCV/HBV infection. They are involved in the immune escape mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting cytotoxic T cells (CD8 and Th1) tumour clearance. Plasma cells are involved in autoimmune hepatitis by secreting autoantibodies. LSEC, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Journal of Hepatology 2013 59, 1127-1134DOI: (10.1016/j.jhep.2013.05.034) Copyright © 2013 Terms and Conditions

Journal of Hepatology 2013 59, 1127-1134DOI: (10. 1016/j. jhep. 2013 Copyright © 2013 Terms and Conditions