Abstract
This chapter focuses on the modification of proteins by reactive ethanol metabolites and the pathological consequences. Although the exact pathophysiology of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) remains unsolved, there is substantial evidence that altered immune reactivity occurs as a consequence of alcohol ingestion in both humans and animal models. Clinically, the association of circulating autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, antibodies to unique hepatic proteins, and cytotoxic lymphocytes reacting against autologous hepatocytes, strongly suggests altered immune regulation with a relative loss of self-tolerance. The significant immune responses generated that specifically recognized self-proteins that are modified by metabolites of alcohol, also suggest the significant role that immune reactions may play in inducing and/or sustaining an inflammatory cascade of tissue damage in the liver. While ethanol and its metabolites are too small to act as immunogens, acting as haptens, they could produce changes in the membranes of hepatocytes. Evidence in the favor of this is provided by the demonstration of antibodies reactive with ethanol-altered hepatocytes, and the presence of circulating cytotoxic lymphocytes reactive with autologous hepatocytes. The histological appearances of the various forms of ALD are also suggestive of a chronic active hepatitis-like inflammatory disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Comprehensive Handbook of Alcohol Related Pathology |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 1209-1222 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Volume | 3-3 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780080502311 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780125643702 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology