Differential cytokine profiles in patients with viral and non-viral related liver cirrhosis

Cytokines are pleiotropic peptides produced by virtually every nucleated cell in the body. In most tissues, including the liver. There is increasing evidence that several cytokines mediate hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis of liver cells, cholestasis fibrosis and cirrhosis. This growing group of pleiotropic peptides includes interleukins (IL) as IL17 and IL10, the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines as TNF-α, chemokines such as IL-8 and other. There is increasing evidence supporting a major role for several cytokines in various aspects of liver diseases caused by viral such as hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus or non-viral caused liver diseases such as autoimmune liver disease, Budd-Chiari syndrome and other non-viral caused liver diseases. With respect to acute and chronic liver diseases, the net biological response of cytokines involved in inflammation and cirrhosis may affect the outcome of these diseases. This review describes current concepts and roles of cytokines in the pathophysiology of liver diseases, particularly in cases of liver cirrhosis.