Role of CXC Chemokines in Liver Repair and Regeneration

The ability of the liver to undergo repair and regeneration following injury is a unique and is dependent on the coordinated integration of several key signaling pathways which correspond to three phases: growth factors (priming), cytokines (proliferation), and metabolic pathways (termination). Here, we present the current understanding of class of small-protein mediators, called chemokines, and how these mediators participate in the regulation of liver repair and regeneration. In addition, we provide a discussion of the various model systems that are used to study liver repair and regeneration, and how the function of chemokines and their cognate receptors may change in the face of different physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions.