Topic Highlight Open Access
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2007. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2007; 13(37): 4924-4924
Published online Oct 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i37.4924
Alcoholic liver injury: Pathological features and models
Natalia A Osna, MD, PhD, Series Editor
Author contributions: Natalia A Osna contributed all to the work.
Received: June 26, 2007
Revised: July 9, 2007
Accepted: July 16, 2007
Published online: October 7, 2007

Abstract



From the editor

In this 9-topic review series, we will provide an insight into the pathogenesis of alcohol-mediated liver damage. The aspects addressed in the reviews cover the most important pathological features induced by ethanol/or ethanol metabolism: dysregulation of cell cycle progression, immune response, impaired protein hydrolysis by proteasome and steatosis and apoptosis induction. The mechanisms of ethanol-elicited liver injury are related to compromised transmethylations, involvement of ethanol in iron metabolism and emerging roles of mitochondria and free radicals in establishment and progression of liver damage. These events are observed not only in hepatocytes, but also in some other liver cells, including the sinusoidal endothelial cells and immune cells. At the molecular level, these pathological symptoms are progressing due to the altered signal transduction processes, which further impair cell functions. To study the alcohol-induced cell damage, certain adequate cell models, including polarized hepatic cells, are developed. The following reviews written by well-established scientists with a long-term expertise in the field of alcohol-indudced liver injury.

4925 Role of alcohol in the regulation of iron metabolism

Harrison-Findik DD

4931 Implication of altered proteasome function in alcoholic liver injury

Osna NA, Donohue TM

4938 Immunological response in alcoholic liver disease

Duryee MJ, Klassen LW, Thiele GM

4947 Role of transmethylation reactions in alcoholic liver disease

Kharbanda KK

4955 Effects of ethanol on hepatic cellular replication and cell cycle progression

Clemens DL

4960 Effect of ethanol on pro-apoptotic mechanisms in polarized hepatic cells

McVicker BL, Tuma DJ, Casey CA

4967 Novel interactions of mitochondria and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in alcohol mediated liver disease

Mantena SK, King AL, Andringa KK, Landar A, Darley-Usmar V, Bailey SM

4974 Alcohol-induced steatosis in liver cells

Donohue TM Jr

4979 Signaling mechanisms in alcoholic liver injury: Role of transcription factors, kinases and heat shock proteins

Mandrekar P

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