Interleukin-1 Family Cytokines in Liver Diseases

Figure 5

IL-33–ILC2–IL-13 axis-mediated liver fibrosis. The IL-33–ILC2–IL-13 axis is important for physiological wound healing. The same process is involved in the development of liver fibrosis. IL-33 activates ILC2 to release IL-13. In response to IL-13, liver macrophages undergo cell conversion into M2 Mø, which begin to produce profibrotic proteins, eventually leading to the development of liver fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are regarded as a major cellular source of IL-33 in cases of liver fibrosis. ILC2: group 2 innate lymphoid cells; Mø: macrophages.