Hepatic immune tolerance induced by hepatic stellate cells

Figure 2 Immune regulatory functions of hepatic stellate cells. Hepatic stellate cells exert potent immune regulatory mechanisms to prevent immense inflammation in the liver. Hepatic stellate cells (HpSCs) can induce regulatory T cells and inhibit effector T cells responses and the function of APCs. These mechanisms contribute to the unique immune tolerant microenvironment of the liver. DCs: Dendritic cells; MDSCs: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells; Treg: Regulatory T cells; Teff: Effector T cells; ATRA: All-trans retinoic acid; C3: Complement component 3.