Abstract
Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine known for its immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative action. In the liver, IFN-γ can induce hepatocyte apoptosis or inhibit hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This article reviews recent mechanistic reports that describe how IFN-γ may direct the fate of hepatocytes either towards apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. This review also describes a probable role for IFN-γ 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-γ as a therapy to enhance recovery from liver disease.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / drug effects
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Apoptosis / genetics
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Apoptosis / physiology
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Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Hepatocytes / cytology
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Hepatocytes / drug effects*
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Hepatocytes / metabolism
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Hepatocytes / physiology*
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Humans
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Interferon-gamma / genetics
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Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
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Interferon-gamma / physiology
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Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use
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Liver / drug effects
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Liver / metabolism
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Liver / pathology
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Liver / physiology
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Liver Diseases / genetics
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Liver Diseases / pathology
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Liver Diseases / therapy
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Liver Regeneration / drug effects
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Liver Regeneration / genetics
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Liver Regeneration / physiology
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Liver Transplantation / methods
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Liver Transplantation / physiology
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Models, Biological